The reality is that workers across industries continue to age. However, as the workforce ages, employers are more likely to encounter new challenges with workers’ compensation insurance. According to Charles Spinelli, elderly employees are a great resource for employers, as they have the background to bring valuable insight, strong workplace morals, and often the ability to lead a team.
However, they are more prone to workplace injuries, which require longer recovery periods. Having a clear idea of these challenges and adopting effective solutions is a smart decision to protect aged employees while managing workers’ comp costs.
Common Workers’ Compensation Challenges
- Higher Severity of Injuries
Aging workers do not mean they are more frequently injured than those who are younger; however, once they get injured, their injuries often become severe. Problems such as decreased flexibility, delayed reaction time, and conditions associated with old age will aggravate the effects of workplace injuries. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, slip and fall accidents, and repetitive stress injuries are some examples of injuries frequently sustained by older workers.
From the viewpoint of employers, they will incur more medical costs, lost productive days from work, and more costs for workers’ compensation. Considering these issues, employers should pay special attention to injury prevention among an aging population.
- Increased Pre-Existing Conditions
Pre-existing health issues are relatively common in aging workers. The conditions may include cardiac problems, diabetes, arthritis, etc. Differentiating the consequences of the injury and pre-existing health condition is more likely to bring confusion in the claim process. This can result in delayed payment settlement, disputes, and more administrative burdens.
- Increased Time to Get Back to Work
Getting injured workers back on their feet as soon as possible is an objective of workers’ compensation systems. However, many elderly workers return to work duties because of increased rehabilitation time.
Effective Solutions for Employers
- Implementing Ergonomic Approach
Leveraging ergonomics in the workplace has become a popular method to minimize injuries among older employees, in the opinion of Charles Spinelli. For example, providing workers with adjustable workstations, lifting tools, anti-fatigue mats, and various other ergonomic tools can prevent workplace injuries and issues experienced by older workers.
- Promote Workplace Wellness Programs
Organizing wellness drives by the employer could serve an important role in addressing the issues faced by aging employees. Fitness programs, along with proper nutrition and stress management, coupled with preventative medicine, could help maintain the health of employees. This could reduce the chances of workplace accidents and injuries, and speed recovery from such injuries.
- Develop Flexible Return-to-Work Programs
Custom-made return-to-work programs can be advantageous for employers to encourage elderly employees to resume their jobs. Transitioning duties, flexible working hours, and temporary work limitations will assist injured workers in returning to their jobs even while recovering.
- Provide Continuous Safety Training
Continuous safety training is still important for everyone, regardless of age. Employees should learn about proper body posture, falls prevention, safe handling of equipment, and hazards. Tailoring the safety training to the hazards that affect senior employees can make the training even more effective.
Conclusion
Workplace compensation issues related to older workforces need adequate preparation and solutions. Helping older workers not only ensures that workers are healthy but also assists in retaining experienced personnel and an efficient labor force in the long run.
