Exploring extensions to working life: job lock and predictors of decreasing work function in older workers

Abstract

Purpose. Job lock, one form of restricted job mobility that often prevents older workers from retiring, is linked to existing health and work place problems. This study explored (i) the rate of change in work limitation for job locked and non-job locked older workers and (ii) the factors associated with these changes over a 12-month period following a work injury.

Methods. Prospective observational cohort study of adults aged  ≥55 years. Data were collected using self-completed questionnaires. Individual growth modelling was used to examine the pre- and post- injury influences on work limitation.

Results. Work limitation was greater in the job locked older workers pre-injury. Both job-locked and non-job locked respondents had initial post-injury decreases in work limitations, suggesting a positive impact of temporary post-injury accommodations. However, both groups had increases in work limitations over time, but the increases were greater in the non-job locked group. In those with job lock, return to work problems were associated with increases in work limitations; in those without job lock, greater increases were associated only with low education.

Conclusions. These results suggest that job accommodations may be important in moderating increasing work limitation in job-locked older workers. Results support prior findings that job-locked older workers have unique characteristics, perhaps requiring more tailored interventions to maintain them in the workforce.

Keywords:

• Work limitation
• older workers
• accommodations
• job lock
• extensions to working life
• work disability

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Sue Martell and Kathryn Barger of the New Hampshire Department of Labor for providing subject recruitment information, Wacu Maina and the staff of the Center for Survey Research for assistance with questionnaire design and data collection.

Declaration of interest

This work was supported in part by grant 1 RO1 OHO3937 from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.