Challenges in the workplace

Employers face many challenges in the workplace. Promoting the attractiveness of workplaces is both a challenge and an opportunity, as it is in the mutual interest of companies and employees. Ageing workforces and a lack of young talent are challenges that are mutually reinforced by high levels of sick leave. For employers, it is important to counteract this in a targeted and sustainable manner.

Content:

• Problem: Demographic development and age structure on the labour market
• Possible solutions for employers
• Increase attractiveness at the workplace
• Practical example: Concrete solution possibility through exoskeletons

Problem: Demographic development and age structure on the labour market

Our society is increasingly ageing. This also has an impact on the labour market. This challenge arises above all in sectors where physically demanding work is performed. These include, for example, transport and logistics as well as manufacturing. These are increasingly perceived as unattractive by younger people. On the other hand, the existing workforce is ageing. Although they are rich in experience, they are increasingly losing physical fitness.

The resulting shortage of workers leads to an additional burden on employees. Therefore, one of the most prominent challenges in the workplace is the improvement of working conditions as well as preventive health care and health promotion for employees.

Possible solutions for employers

As options for action, investments can be made in various places. These include, on the one hand, a fundamental increase in the attractiveness of the working environment. This helps to retain older employees and to recruit future generations. In addition, employees, regardless of age, should be retained in the long term. The basic prerequisite is that they are able to exercise their profession in the long term.

Increase attractiveness at the workplace

Reducing physical strain addresses the above challenges on several levels: It facilitates the long-term retention of workers and, last but not least, they mean experience and are extremely valuable for company structures. Moreover, a lot has usually already been invested in these long-term employees.

Making the workplace more attractive is one of the biggest challenges for employers. However, there is also a lot of potential in this, as it can counteract staff shortages and optimise processes and costs.

For the recruitment of young people, the message is: We will take care of you. This is becoming increasingly important as a perspective for the future. From the point of view of future employees, this is not only about abstract stress, but also about planning. Those who, because of their career choice, have to reckon with a high probability of no longer being able to do their job at the age of 45 because of the high physical strain, will think twice.

Practical example: Concrete solution possibility through exoskeletons

Physical stress in particular can be effectively reduced: Exoskeletons offer targeted support for the musculoskeletal system and thus provide noticeable relief and increased work quality. Investing in ergonomic aids therefore pays off in several ways, because they

• provides more strength in everyday work,
• reduces fatigue,
• improves the attractiveness of the workplace,
• ensures satisfied employees and
• reduces the quality costs for the company.

Summary

With the use of exoskeletons to support physically demanding work, numerous added values can be realised that have a positive impact on personnel management and process optimisation. Their use is becoming necessary due to the changing age structure in society and on the labour market, coupled with the lack of attractiveness of physically demanding activities for current and future employees. With the use of exoskeletons, a versatile win-win situation can be created that benefits both employees and employers and pays off in the medium term at the latest.