The Employer Perspective on Sustainable Employability in the Construction Industry

J Occup Environ Med. 2017 Jan;59(1):85-91. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000913.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the measures employers in the construction industry take to promote sustainable employability, the barriers and facilitators that influence implementation and employer needs.

Methods: Questionnaire among 499 employers and interviews with 17 employers.

Results: Employers expressed a need for alternative jobs for workers who can no longer perform physically demanding tasks, as well as means to stimulate proactive employee behavior. Measures frequently targeted the work environment (95%) and employee health (79%), less frequently personal development (63%) and organization (65%). Implementation was influenced by economic factors, rules and regulations, client demands, employee demands, company vision, company culture, and time/manpower/expertise.

Conclusions: Implementation of measures aimed at reducing physical load and the promotion of personal development are needed.

MeSH terms

  • Construction Industry / organization & administration*
  • Efficiency, Organizational
  • Employment* / economics
  • Employment* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Netherlands
  • Occupational Health*
  • Organizational Culture
  • Physical Exertion
  • Staff Development
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Work Capacity Evaluation
  • Work Engagement
  • Workforce
  • Workload
  • Workplace