The First Step

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace2 Moving Forward A review of what we’ve covered Taking the first step – Identifying priorities – Developing an action plan

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace3 A Review of What We’ve Covered The Aging Workforce There will be more older workers – Older workers need and want to work – We need the skills older workers have – Social Security needs help

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace4 A Review of What We’ve Covered Why the Aging Workforce Matters Your organization will see changes at every level – Age affects how we work – Work affects how we age – Safety, health and job performance How you’re affected depends on what you do to prepare To prepare for an older workforce, prepare for an aging workforce Society Organization Policies The Work Environment

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace5 A Review of What We’ve Covered The Work Environment The spaces where we work affect how we age We have control over how workplaces are designed Work environment issues are aging issues – Physical demands of work – Lighting and vision – Cognitive demands of work We can design age friendly workplaces

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace6 A Review of What We’ve Covered Health Promotion Health promotion: – Prevention – Detection – Management Promoting health throughout life can prevent chronic disease Promoting health can lead to better disease management Health promotion can save you money

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace7 A Review of What We’ve Covered Work & Life Balance It’s time to rethink how work and retirement function Flexible work options can benefit you and your aging workforce Phased retirement programs are an example Social and community resources can help

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace8 What’s the First Step? Plan Ahead! Type of GoalGoal How It Will Happen Who Will Ensure It Does When It Will End Challenges & Solutions The Work Environment Health Promotion Work/Life Balance - In the Workplace - In the Community

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace9 The Aging Workforce What To Do 1 1.Identify one priority 2.Create a plan to address your priority 3.Implement your plan and build on it 1 Planning approach adapted from “The Breakthrough Strategy,” developed by Robert Schaeffer

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace10 What Is Your Priority? – What’s important for the future of your organization? – What will people in your organization really care about? Example: Preventing fall-related injuries 1.Identify One Priority What Will Make a Difference for You?

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace11 How will you measure “success”? ________ – Pick a good way to measure your top priority – How much will you change? ________ – Hint: Start small to generate momentum We will measure the number of fall-related injuries using OSHA 300 logs Our goal: A 15% reduction over the next quarter 2.Create a Plan How Do You Achieve Your Objectives?

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace12 Do you have a baseline? Who is accountable? – Who will be the champion? – Will this be a team effort? If so, who will help? Based off of our OSHA 300 logs, we had 20 fall-related injuries last year Jim (the “safety guy”) will lead the effort. He’ll have help from Greg (in maintenance) and Janice (in human resources). 2.Create a Plan How Do You Achieve Your Objectives?

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace13 What is the timeline? – When will it all be done? – How often will you need to meet until then? We will have accomplished our goal by the end of next quarter. We don’t need to meet before then. 2.Create a Plan How Do You Achieve Your Objectives?

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace14 What, exactly, do you need to do to make it happen? Step 1: Repair the stairs outside of Building 4 Step 2: Install slip-resistant mats at the loading dock Step 3: Reorganize the supply room to reduce the need for ladders Etc. 2.Create a Plan How Do You Achieve Your Objectives?

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace15 What might get in the way? How will you respond? ChallengeResponse Cost Combine funds from safety budget and from maintenance’s budget Etc. 2.Create a Plan How Do You Achieve Your Objectives?

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace16 Goal How It Will Happen Who Will Ensure It Does When It Will End Challenges & Solutions Reduce the number of fall- related injuries by 15% Repair stairwell Slip-resistant mats Reorganize supply closet Jim - safety Greg - maint. Janice- HR The first day of next quarter Share cost between two depts. The Age Friendly Workplace Work Environment Example

Now It’s Your Turn…

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace18 1.Identify One Priority What Will Make a Difference for You? What Is Your Priority? – What’s important for the future of your organization? – What will people in your organization really care about? Promoting Healthy Aging Throughout Life Designing an Age Friendly Work Environment Enabling a Healthy Work-Life Balance

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace19 2.Create a Plan How Do You Achieve Your Objectives? How will you measure “success”? ________ – Pick a good way to measure your top priority – How much will you change? ________ – Hint: Start small to generate momentum Do you have a baseline? Who is accountable? – Who is the champion? _______________ – Is it a team effort? If so, who’s on the team?

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace20 2.Create a Plan How Do You Achieve Your Objectives? What is the timeline? – When will it all be done? ____/ ____/ ______ – How often will you need to meet for progress updates? What, exactly, do you need to do to make it happen? – Step 1:__________________________________________ – Step 2: _________________________________________ – Step 3: _________________________________________ – Step 4: _________________________________________ – Etc.

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace21 2.Create a Plan How Do You Achieve Your Objectives? What might get in the way? How will you respond? ChallengeResponse

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace22 Type of GoalGoal How It Will Happen Who Will Ensure It Does When It Will Finish Challenges & Responses The Work Environment Health Promotion Work/Life Balance - In the Workplace - In the Community The Age Friendly Workplace

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace23 Reviewing Your Action Plan 1.Is it important? Will people care? 2.How does it relate to the aging process? 3.Does it focus on results in addition to action? 4.How will you know when you succeed? 5.Are your goals achievable? 6.Will it integrate into your organization and not just be “one more thing”? 7.What will you do to communicate the goals and results to people who matter? 1 Planning approach adapted from “The Breakthrough Strategy,” developed by Robert Schaeffer

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace24 Any Questions? Thanks for all the hard work!