In an ageing society, the structure of the workforce is changing: in future, there will be more older employees and fewer younger employees. Dealing with the "demographic issue" is becoming an important factor for a company's productivity and competitiveness.
The study examines age-appropriate working conditions in the care "sector" in eastern Saxony. In the care sector, an increasing number of people in need of care are facing an already recognizable shortage of skilled workers. What does this mean for personnel development? Are strategies for healthy working recognizable? What measures are facilities and providers taking in response?
First, expert interviews were conducted with multipliers in the region of Eastern Saxony in order to work out the relationship between the research question and sectors and occupational groups with a particular need for action. As a result, the focus was placed on the care sector.
Qualitative interviews were then conducted in seven welfare organizations in Görlitz and Löbau with the management or the head of the personnel development department.
The results show that the awareness for a more careful use of the "resource workforce" has increased in recent years as a result of the shortage of skilled workers. However, there are no integrated measures for age-appropriate work design and personnel development; rather, they should be developed further.
Funded by the Saxon State Ministry of Science and the Arts (SMWK)
Duration: 01/2012 - 09/2012