Respiratory Ailments Slow Down Older Workers

According to a study prepared by the British Thoracic Society (BTS), 29% of those aged 51 through 60 report that they experience breathlessness, and that most of those state that this has adverse consequences for their work. In fact, the respiratory ailments often led to an extended sickness absence and that workers were more likely to retire due to ill health.

Mike Morgan, chair of the BTS, said: “The research paints a stark picture of the impact of breathlessness on people’s work performance. With the expectation that people will be working for longer, more needs to be done to ensure that the correct strategies are in place to support older workers who might be affected by respiratory problems, and help them to lead their everyday lives.”

Sources: The Telegraph "British workforces 'not geared up' to employ older workers" (December 3, 2010); Personnel Today "One-third of older workers struggle to breathe" (December 2, 2010)