Designing Sustainable Working Lives and Environments

This book offers a theoretical framework visualizing the complexity of working life. It increases the knowledge and awareness of individuals, companies and society regarding different factors and work patterns and aims to support reflections and discussions into daily operations on the individual, organizational and societal level.

Kerstin Nilsson is Professor in Public Health Epidemiology and Associate Professor in Work Sciences, in the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Lund University & in Division of Public Health at Kristianstad University, Sweden. Her previous affiliations include the Swedish National Institute of Working Life and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, from where she received her PhD in Work Science. She also has a doctorate in Public Health and Epidemiology from Lund University. She is the developer of the SwAge model (Sustainable Working Life for All Ages).

Part I Introduction. Determinant Areas for a Sustainable Working Life and Employability. Sphere A. Health effects of the work environment. Area 1. Diagnoses, self-rated health and functional diversity. Area 2: The Physical Work Environment. Area 3. Mental Work Environment. Area 4. Working hours, work pace and time for recuperation. Organisational perspective and action proposals that matter to the health effects of the work environment. Societal perspective and action proposals that matter to health impacts of the work environment. Sphere B. the Financial situation . Area 5. Personal finance and economics. Organisational perspective and action proposals that matter to the financial situation. Societal perspective and action proposals that matter to the financial situation . Sphere C. Social inclusion, support and sense of community. Area 6. The personal social environment. Area 7. The social work environment. Organisational perspective and action proposals that matter to social inclusion, support and sense of community. Societal perspective and action proposals that matter to social inclusion, support and sense of community. Sphere D. The execution of work tasks and activities. Area 8. Work satisfaction, motivation, stimulation and the core of work. Area 9. Knowledge, skills and competence development. Organisational perspective and action proposals that matter to the execution of work tasks and activities. Societal perspective and action proposals that matter to the execution of work tasks and activities. Part II Age in Relation to a Sustainable Working Life. Biological age in working life. Chronological age in working life. Social age in working life. Cognitive age in working life. All ages in working life. Part III Practical Application Based on the SwAgeTM Model. Case for Reflection Supported by the SwAgeTM Model. Nine quick ways to increase sustainability in the organisation's environment. The Survey Tool for Investigation and Reflection of Work Ability, Employability and Work Situation. The Tool for Employer/Manager -Employee Work Situation and Career Development Conversations. A Tool for Systematic Workplace Management and an Action plan for a Sustainable Working Life for All Ages. Examples of Measures Taken in Different Workplaces. Tools for Evaluations and Follow-Up of Actions and Measures.