Do workplace interventions reduce disability rates?

Area of Science:

• Occupational health
• Gerontology
• Workplace interventions

Background:

• Aging workforce demographics due to increased life expectancy and decreased fertility.
• Challenges in retaining older workers, including health deterioration and reduced work capacity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of workplace interventions on disability rates among employees aged 50 and older.
• To determine if facilitating work for employees with health issues improves retention.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a difference-in-differences approach comparing intervention and control companies.
• Linked survey data from 713 Norwegian companies with employee registry data (30,771 employees aged 50-61).
• Analyzed changes in the likelihood of receiving a full disability pension.

Main Results:

• Initially, companies with interventions showed a higher risk of disability pension (OR 1.25).
• Overall disability rates reduced in both groups (OR 0.83) between 2005-07.
• Companies with interventions demonstrated an additional reduction in disability pension likelihood (OR 0.80).

Conclusions:

• Workplace interventions effectively reduce disability rates in older employees (aged 50-61).
• Preventive company interventions aid in retaining older workers facing health challenges.
• Supports the efficacy of targeted strategies for an aging workforce.