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In view of the aging and dejuvenation of the working population and the expected shortages in employees' skills in the future, it is of utmost importance to focus on older workers' employability in order to prolong their working life until, or even beyond, their official retirement age. The primary aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between older workers' employability (self-)perceptions and their intention to continue working until their official retirement age. In addition, we studied the role of potential antecedents of their perceived employability at three different levels: training and education in current expertise area as well as in an adjacent expertise area (individual level factor), learning value of the job (job level factor), and organizational career management practices (organizational level factor). Data were collected by means of e-questionnaires that were distributed among two groups of Dutch older (45-plus) white collar workers. The samples consisted of 223 employees of an insurance company, and 325 university workers, respectively. Our research model was tested separately in each sample using Structural Equation Modeling. We controlled for effects of respondents' (self-)perceived health and (self-)perceived financial situation. Similar results were found for both samples. First, the relationship of perceived employability with the intention to continue working until one's retirement age was positive, whereas the relationship between a perceived good financial situation with the intention to continue working until one's retirement age was negative. Secondly, as regards the potential antecedents, results showed that the learning value of the job was positively related to perceived employability. In addition, an employee's perception of good health is a relevant correlate of perceived employability. So, whereas perceived employability contributes to the intention to continue working until one's retirement age, a good financial situation is a push factor to retire early. In order to promote the labor participation of older workers, this study indicates that organizations should focus on the learning possibilities that are inherent to one's job rather than on providing additional training or career management. Further research is needed to test the generalizability of our results to other samples.

Background: Despite growing interest in sustainable employability (SE), studies on the effectiveness of interventions aimed at employees' SE are scarce. In this review, SE is defined by four core components: health, productivity, valuable work, and long-term perspective. The aim of this review is to summarize the effectiveness of employer-initiated SE interventions and to analyze whether their content and outcome measures addressed these SE components. Methods: A systematic search was performed in six databases for the period January 1997 to June 2018. The methodological quality of each included study was assessed. A customized form was used to extract data and categorize interventions according to SE components. Results: The initial search identified 596 articles and 7 studies were included. Methodological quality ranged from moderate to weak. All interventions addressed the components health' and valuable work'. Positive effects were found for valuable work' outcomes. Conclusions: The quality of evidence was moderate to weak. The valuable work' component appeared essential for the effectiveness of SE interventions. Higher-quality evaluation studies are needed, as are interventions that effectively integrate all SE core components in their content.

Obesity and high physical workload are both associated with poor work ability, but the interaction between obesity and high physical workload on work ability is not yet fully understood. Obesity and high physical workload may share a common mechanical pathway, possibly leading to a synergistic negative effect on work ability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of obesity on work ability in workers with high versus low physical work load. A longitudinal study was conducted among 36,435 Dutch construction workers who participated in at least two periodic medical examinations during the years 2008-2015. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the effect of manual material handling and strenuous work postures in sports on the association between obesity and work ability. Work ability was measured using the self-reported Work Ability Index consisting of seven dimensions. Confounding effects were tested for age, educational level, smoking, vigorous physical activity, psychosocial work demands, and working hours. Additive interaction between obesity and physical workload on work ability was tested using the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). Construction workers with overweight (OR = 1.09; 95% CI 1.02-1.16) or obesity (OR = 1.27; 95% CI 1.17-1.38) had an increased risk of poor/moderate work ability. Exposure to manual material handling (OR = 1.58; 95% CI 1.49-1.68) or strenuous work postures (OR = 1.80; 95% CI 1.70-1.90) also increased the risk of poor/moderate work ability. The effect of the combination of obesity with high physical workload was greater than the sum of the individual effects (strenuous work postures: RERI = 0.39; 95% CI 0.10-0.67; manual material handling: RERI = 0.26; 95% CI 0.02-0.51). Obesity and high physical workload were associated with poor work ability and had a synergistic, negative effect on work ability. Interventions that prevent obesity and high physical workload might have a beneficial effect on work ability.

Due to an aging workforce and an increasing structural labor shortage across Western economies, it is important to design jobs for older workers that support their continued employability. The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate how job type (operational, professional and managerial jobs) influences work characteristics older workers need to continue working. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 21 older (55+) Dutch employees working in the health and education sector. A full thematic analysis of interview transcripts was performed, and work characteristics were identified, coded, categorized and compared to discover patterns of similarities and differences between job types. The results show that job types have a number of work characteristics in common: operational job types share autonomy with managers and client interaction with professionals, and professionals and managers share mentorship. Unique work characteristics for operational roles are supervisor support and comfortable workspace. Professionals especially want to use their expertise and flexible working hours, and managers are different because they value personal development and contact with colleagues. In conclusion, the results show that certain work characteristics have a different impact on the design of future jobs for older workers, depending on the type of job of the employee.

BACKGROUND: Many work-related items are not included in the current classification of environmental factors from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Furthermore, personal factors are not classified and the ICF only provides a very limited list of examples. These facts make the ICF less useful for occupational health care and for research in the field of occupation and health.OBJECTIVE: The objective of this discussion paper is to introduce an elaboration of contextual factors, focussing on factors that influence work participation.METHODS: During the last 12 years, we developed two concept lists from the bottom up. These lists are based on our experiences in teaching and research, suggestions from students and other researchers, and factors found in the literature. In the fall of 2015 a scoping literature review was done to check for missing factors in these two concept lists.RESULTS: An elaboration of contextual factors, consisting of a list of work-related environmental factors and a list of personal factors.CONCLUSIONS: Important contextual factors that influence work participation are identified. Researchers, teachers, students, occupational and insurance physicians, allied health care professionals, employers, employees, and policy makers are invited to use the elaboration and to make suggestions for improvement. The elaboration and the suggestions received can be used in the ICF revision process. The development of an ICF ontology must be given priority, to give room to this elaboration, which will increase the applicability of the ICF and enable mapping with other terminologies and classifications.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine whether work capabilities differ between workers with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and workers from the general population. The second aim was to investigate whether the capability set was related to work and health outcomes.METHODS: A total of 163 workers with MS from the MS@Work study and 163 workers from the general population were matched for gender, age, educational level and working hours. All participants completed online questionnaires on demographics, health and work functioning. The Capability Set for Work Questionnaire was used to explore whether a set of seven work values is considered valuable (A), is enabled in the work context (B), and can be achieved by the individual (C). When all three criteria are met a work value can be considered part of the individual's 'capability set'.RESULTS: Group differences and relationships with work and health outcomes were examined. Despite lower physical work functioning (U = 4250, p = 0.001), lower work ability (U = 10591, p = 0.006) and worse self-reported health (U = 9091, p ≤ 0.001) workers with MS had a larger capability set (U = 9649, p ≤ 0.001) than the general population. In workers with MS, a larger capability set was associated with better flexible work functioning (r = 0.30), work ability (r = 0.25), self-rated health (r = 0.25); and with less absenteeism (r = - 0.26), presenteeism (r = - 0.31), cognitive/neuropsychiatric impairment (r = - 0.35), depression (r = - 0.43), anxiety (r = - 0.31) and fatigue (r = - 0.34).CONCLUSIONS: Workers with MS have a larger capability set than workers from the general population. In workers with MS a larger capability set was associated with better work and health outcomes.TRIAL REGISTRATION: This observational study is registered under NL43098.008.12: 'Voorspellers van arbeidsparticipatie bij mensen met relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerose'. The study is registered at the Dutch CCMO register ( https://www.toetsingonline.nl ). This study is approved by the METC Brabant, 12 February 2014. First participants are enrolled 1st of March 2014.

Personality traits and work values are important characteristics in personnel selection. Studies on their associations show limited agreement. In order to clarify, this paper investigates their association on a personality facet level. Work values are differentiated in intrinsic and extrinsic factors. This paper adds the role of age to the association. Earlier studies on traits and values about the influence of age on their development and associations are reviewed. Then the moderating influence of age in the association between facets of the Five-Factor Model and work values of the Universal Values Model of 465 Dutch bankers is studied. The results elucidate the association between personality facets and work values and the role of age in their associations. Considering this in personnel selection might contribute to sustainable employability of both the young as well as the older worker. Therewith, the study contributes to the debate of ageing in recruitment and selection. RESUMEN Los rasgos de personalidad y los valores laborales son características importantes en la selección de personal. Los estudios sobre sus asociaciones muestran un acuerdo limitado. Para clarificarlo, este artículo investiga su asociación en el nivel de facetas de la personalidad. Los valores laborales se diferencian en factores intrínsecos y extrínsecos. Además este trabajo añade el papel de la edad en esta asociación. Se revisan estudios previos de rasgos y valores sobre la influencia de la edad en su desarrollo y asociación. También se estudia la influencia moderadora de la edad en la asociación entre las facetas del modelo de los cinco factores y los valores laborales del modelo de valores universal en una muestra de 465 empleados de banca holandeses. Los resultados elucidan la asociación entre aspectos de personalidad y valores laborales, y el papel de la edad en dicha asociación. La consideración de esta asociación en selección de personal podría contribuir a la empleabilidad sostenible de los empleados jóvenes y de los de más edad. Por lo tanto, el estudio contribuye al debate de la edad en el reclutamiento y la selección.

Demographic developments and the structure of our pension system is forcing us to work longer. Nurturing and maintaining the health of the working population calls for a proactive approach by professionals in the field of work and health. This development also requires a paradigm shift among professionals, which will have consequences for academic curricula. This dissertation examines the potential role of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in this paradigm shift. The ICF provides a language and paradigm framework that focuses on health and functioning. Future professionals are being trained in ICF within the context of an exemplary practical example (screening for future long-term absences using the Balansmeter, followed by early intervention by a company doctor) and within an academic curriculum (Master of Work, Health and Career at Maastricht University). ICF appears to be a promising way to prevent long-term absence and may contribute to a paradigm shift in academic curricula, practical implementation and research on work and health.

Background. Multiple job holding (MJH) is a common and growing phenomenon in many countries. Little is known about experiences with MJH among older workers. The objective of the present study is to gain insight in experiences with MJH among Dutch workers aged 45 years and older. Methods. Multiple job holders were selected from the Study on Transitions in Employment, Ability, and Motivation (STREAM), a Dutch cohort study among persons aged 45 years and older. Purposive sampling was applied to assure heterogeneity regarding gender, educational level, health, financial situation, willingness to continue MJH, and type of MJH (only jobs as employee or also being self-employed). Interviews were conducted until data saturation occurred. Fifteen multiple job holders participated in this study (eight men, seven women). Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed, along with field notes, using thematic content analysis. The data were openly coded, after which codes were aggregated into themes, which formed a thematic map. In each phase of the analysis at least two researchers were involved to increase reliability. Results. Experiences with MJH varied from positive to negative. They were influenced by characteristics of individual jobs, e.g. social support at work, as well as characteristics of the combination of jobs, e.g. positive spill-over effects, and conflicts between work schedules. The personal context of multiple job holders, e.g. their age, or reason for MJH, affected how work characteristics influenced experiences. Negative experiences with one job often coincided with negative experience in the other job(s), and problems in the personal context. Some multiple job holders were able to make changes to their situation when desired. For some, this was not possible, which augmented their negative experience. Conclusions. This study adds to existing knowledge that experiences with MJH are not only influenced by work characteristics but also by the personal context of multiple job holders, and that some workers are able to change their situation when desired, while others are not. Future research should study how different combinations of work and personal characteristics influence sustainable employability of multiple job holders. Policies facilitating life-long learning could increase opportunities to change the MJH situation when desired.

In dit artikel gaan we na hoe verschillen in objectieve en subjectieve baanonzekerheid van werknemers en zelfstandigen samengaan met duurzame inzetbaarheid. Objectieve baanzekerheid is de mate waarin de arbeidspositie zekerheid geeft over het voortbestaan van de baan, subjectieve baanzekerheid is de mate waarin werknemers en zelfstandigen zelf de onzekerheid ervaren. Dit doen wij door gebruik te maken van samengevoegde databestanden van de Nationale Enquête Arbeidsomstandigheden (NEA) en de Nationale Enquête Zelfstandigen (ZEA), verzameld door TNO en CBS in 2014 en 2016, met in totaal ruim 80.000 werknemers en zelfstandigen. Het blijkt dat werknemers in vaste dienst en zelfstandigen met personeel de hoogste subjectieve baanzekerheid hebben en flexwerkers de laagste. Subjectieve baanonzekerheid hangt sterk negatief samen met aspecten van duurzame inzetbaarheid; objectieve baanonzekerheid correleert daarentegen vaak positief met duurzame inzetbaarheid. Want werknemers met een vast dienstverband hebben een lager gezondheidsniveau, meer ziekteverzuim, meer burn-out-klachten en geven vaker aan niet goed te kunnen voldoen aan de eisen die hun functie stelt, maar zijn wel meer tevreden met hun functie dan flexwerkers. In vergelijking met vaste werknemers en flexwerkers zijn zelfstandigen het meest tevreden met hun werk en schatten ze hun presteren hoog in, maar vinden ze ook dat ze moeilijk kunnen voldoen aan de eisen die het werk stelt.

In welke mate komt het oordeel van de werkgever overeen met het oordeel van de werknemer over diens mate van DI. Volgens de Sociaal Economische Raad (2009) bestaat duurzame inzetbaarheid uit drie elementen: vitaliteit, werkvermogen en “employability”. De oordelen van de werkgevers over DI vertonen significante overlap met de oordelen van de werknemers zelf. Echter, alleen het zelf-oordeel over het werkvermogen hangt samen met de oordelen van de werkgever. En er is een mogelijk vooroordeel zichtbaar voor leeftijd en voor geslacht (de laatste alleen voor employability). Het is belangrijk dat HR-managers zich hiervan bewust zijn opdat mogelijke discriminatie van oudere werknemers beperkt kan worden

Purpose The goals of this study were to determine whether, among older employees, unfavourable physical and psychosocial work-related factors were associated with poorer mental and physical health and whether high work engagement buffered the associations between unfavourable work-related factors and poorer health. Methods A 1-year longitudinal study with employed persons aged 45–64 was conducted within the Study on Transitions in Employment, Ability and Motivation (n = 8,837). Using an online questionnaire, work-related factors (physical: physical load; psychosocial: psychological job demands, autonomy, and support) and work engagement were measured at baseline and health at baseline and 1-year follow-up. General linear models were used to assess associations of work-related factors and work engagement with health. Tests of interaction terms assessed whether work engagement buffered the work-related factor-health associations. Results Unfavourable psychosocial work-related factors at baseline were associated with poorer mental health at follow-up. Higher physical load, higher psychological job demands, and lower autonomy at baseline were associated with poorer physical health at follow-up. Higher work engagement at baseline was related to better physical and especially better mental health during the 1-year follow-up. Work engagement had a small effect on the associations between work-related factors and health. Conclusions Among older employees, especially the promotion of a high work engagement and, to a lesser extent, favourable work-related factors can be beneficial for mental health in particular. © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Background: Despite growing interest in sustainable employability (SE), studies on the effectiveness of interventions aimed at employees’ SE are scarce. In this review, SE is defined by four core components: health, productivity, valuable work, and long-term perspective. The aim of this review is to summarize the effectiveness of employer-initiated SE interventions and to analyze whether their content and outcome measures addressed these SE components. Methods: A systematic search was performed in six databases for the period January 1997 to June 2018. The methodological quality of each included study was assessed. A customized form was used to extract data and categorize interventions according to SE components. Results: The initial search identified 596 articles and 7 studies were included. Methodological quality ranged from moderate to weak. All interventions addressed the components ‘health’ and ‘valuable work’. Positive effects were found for ‘valuable work’ outcomes. Conclusions: The quality of evidence was moderate to weak. The ‘valuable work’ component appeared essential for the effectiveness of SE interventions. Higher-quality evaluation studies are needed, as are interventions that effectively integrate all SE core components in their content.

Though the importance of sustainable employability throughout people's working life is undisputed, up till now only one attempt for a conceptual definition has been made (van der Klink et al., 2016). Following the suggestions to further refine and improve this definition recently put forward by Fleuren et al. (2016), we propose an approach to sustainable employability that is based on the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) framework, and incorporates three indicators: the ability, the motivation, and the opportunity to continue working, respectively. As sustainable employability is considered to be an important aspect of successful aging at work, this study used four different conceptualizations of aging at work to set up convergent and divergent validity of our operationalization of sustainable employability: calendar age, organizational age (job and organizational tenure), functional age (work ability), and life-span age (partner and children). We formulated several hypotheses that were tested by analyzing data from an online survey among 180 employees from Dutch public service organizations who filled out a questionnaire on different age concepts, and their ability, motivation, and opportunity to continue working. Multiple regression analyses were performed, and results showed that the four conceptualizations of aging were differently related to the three indicators of sustainable employability. Life-span age, in terms of having children, had the strongest negative relationship with the ability to continue working, organizational age (i.e., organizational tenure) had the strongest negative relationship with the motivation to continue working, and functional age had the strongest negative relationship with the opportunity to continue working. Moreover, functional age was significantly negatively related to the other two indicators of sustainable employability too, while life-span age appeared to enhance the ability and motivation to continue working (in terms of having children) and the perceived opportunity to continue working (in terms of having a partner). Calendar age was only important for the opportunity to continue working and appeared to have a negative association with this outcome variable. These results lend support to our proposed operationalization of sustainable employability by showing that the three indicators are differently related to different age conceptualizations thus expanding previous research on the conceptualization of sustainable employability.

Innovative and Integrated New Solutions for Sustainable Employability (INTENSE) project aims at improving youth employment in Europe. It is focused on a sub-group so-called NEETs (not in education, employment and training) which is not reached (compare Eurofound 2012, Eurofound 2015) by usual means of employment centred initiatives for educationally deprived youth with psychosocial, mental, multifactorial problems, problematic lifestyles, disabilities, etc. Eurofound 2015, identifies a europe-wide need of this target group to be addressed. They also include the call for the development of holistic approaches in order to achieve sustainability. The above- mentioned need provides the stimulus for the consortium to develop (1st part of the project) and test (2nd part of the project) a client-centered educational concept. In essence, the following 3 dimensions are taken into account: 1st dimension - Compensation. The compensatory aspect concerns the assignment of a Transition Coach who works systemically and enables the clients to recognise their own educational needs, to ask for the coach's support on their own initiative, to develop their own goals and work on the achievement of the latter in an independent manner. 2nd dimension - prevention. The studies which identified the need for a holistic approach, define the requirement of national support systems to act in a preventive manner in order to produce as few NEETs as possible and, if applicable, start the holistic approach at an early stage. 3rd dimension - Structure and Cooperation. The issue going hand in hand with the points mentioned above is the explanation of structural aspects with regards to the success of integrated approaches. By involving the stakeholders at an early stage and throughout the entire project, a solid basis for achieving cross-sectoral cooperation is created. The role of the University of Malaga is to ensure the evaluation of the project development (1st part of the project) and implementation (2nd part of the project) using modern, and scientific methods. For this purpose, the university will apply the Stufflebeam Model during the development phase and evaluates the implementation phase according to effectiveness and efficiency by applying the Contribution Analysis (Mayne 2008). Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.

This dissertation focuses on sustainable employability, its consequences, and how it can be stimulated. Sustainably employable workers are those that are able and willing to productively work throughout their careers. Sustainable employability is considered important for both employees and their employers, because it can help workers to deal with the ever-changing work environment. This dissertation contributes to our knowledge on sustainable employability by addressing four gaps in the literature. These gaps are defined in the first chapter and inform the research in this dissertation. The empirical research is conducted in the Dutch hospital sector, a relevant research context as there is a high need for sustainably employable workers in this dynamic environment. This dissertation shows that employer’s investments in providing resourceful and challenging jobs as well as adequate managerial support, stimulate employees to become and remain Employable Ever After. The research indicates that employee age and job type should be taken into account when investing in workers’ sustainable employability, as for example, some occupational groups run the risk of ‘entrapped employment positions’, which limits their career chances. Ultimately, both employees and employers benefit from employer’s investments in sustainable employability, although employers should be aware of the so-called ‘spoiled worker alert’. This means that employees could become reluctant to change because they value their employer’s investments focused on their current job so much, while at the same time, they are insufficiently stimulated to think ahead.

This dissertation focuses on sustainable employability, its consequences, and how it can be stimulated. Sustainably employable workers are those that are able and willing to productively work throughout their careers. Sustainable employability is considered important for both employees and their employers, because it can help workers to deal with the ever-changing work environment. This dissertation contributes to our knowledge on sustainable employability by addressing four gaps in the literature. These gaps are defined in the first chapter and inform the research in this dissertation. The empirical research is conducted in the Dutch hospital sector, a relevant research context as there is a high need for sustainably employable workers in this dynamic environment. This dissertation shows that employer’s investments in providing resourceful and challenging jobs as well as adequate managerial support, stimulate employees to become and remain Employable Ever After. The research indicates that employee age and job type should be taken into account when investing in workers’ sustainable employability, as for example, some occupational groups run the risk of ‘entrapped employment positions’, which limits their career chances. Ultimately, both employees and employers benefit from employer’s investments in sustainable employability, although employers should be aware of the so-called ‘spoiled worker alert’. This means that employees could become reluctant to change because they value their employer’s investments focused on their current job so much, while at the same time, they are insufficiently stimulated to think ahead.

Background The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) is developing an online e-guide, which will provide tips and practical information for each EU country (in their national language(s)) on ageing and occupational health and safety. The e-guide will be launched in 2016 as part of the EU-OSHA campaign on Healthy Workplaces for all ages. The e-guide will present evidence, tools and practical examples of how companies can take action and effectively promote sustainable employability. Methods As part of the development of the e-guide, a cross-sectional study was conducted to survey Belgian employers in April 2015 to determine their specific needs concerning older workers’ occupational health and safety issues. Researchers from Milieu Ltd. (Brussels, Belgium), the consultancy company coordinating the e-guide project, and Mensura Occupational Health Services (Brussels, Belgium) developed a 13-item questionnaire. The survey addressed the needs and importance given to sustainable employability of older workers in Belgian companies and evaluated corporate knowledge regarding relevant national policies. The questionnaire was distributed electronically to the management of 22,084 private-sector companies affiliated with Mensura. Results Ten percent (n = 2133) of recipients opened the e-mail, and 37 % (n = 790) of these completed the questionnaire. In 89 % of the responding companies, sustainable employability of workers aged ≥55 years plays an important role; 70 % have no active sustainable employability policy/initiative; 18 % experience difficulties promoting sustainable employability; and 86 % indicate no need for support to promote sustainable employability. Respondents noted the following health complaints among workers aged ≥55 years: work-related health problems (31 %), stress (26 %), work agreements/type of work (17 %), work/life balance (15 %), and career development and/or training (9 %). Topics concerning health and well-being of workers aged ≥55 years requiring the most attention include motivation (30 %) and adaptation of the workplace to their health requirements (26 %). Conclusions The e-guide should raise further awareness among employers about the importance of implementing an active sustainable employability policy to prolong working life in a healthy and productive way. The e-guide should also include tools to address work-related health problems and stress, motivation, and adaptation of the workplace to the health requirements of workers aged ≥55 years.

Because of demographic trends and social and societal developments sustainable employability is an important issue. As the workforce is ageing and workers will be asked to work longer in particular at the end of their careers, and as older workers have increased risks of health problems, much attention is paid to the older worker. This article joins a number of recent definitions of sustainable employability where the value aspect of work is emphasized: work must add value for the organization as well as for the employee to be sustainable. In recent history work and the valuation of work changed considerably. In this article recent developments in work and work models will be addressed briefly and work as a valuable domain of life will be discussed in relation to sustainable employability and the capability approach of Amartya Sen.

Sustainable employability has recently become a topical issue in HR literature. Two major developments are responsible for this increased attention. The first is contextual change, requiring businesses to adapt to faster changing markets, causing rapid shifts in the demand for labour and skills. These shifts have severe consequences for the employability of individual employees, even causing skills to become obsolete. Also, organizational change is positively related to perceived skills mismatch. As a consequence, the vulnerable employability of less educated or uneducated employees will become ever more vulnerable as a result of contextual changes and shifting skills demands. This thesis analyses three potential routes in sustaining the employability of less educated workers: development, mobility and work redesign. It focusses on the less educated, since literature shows that less educated (older) employees are a high-risk group with regard to their sustainable employability. Less education and training, worse general health (habits) and taxing working conditions make it relatively difficult for less educated older employees to extend their working lives. Adding to this, less educated employees face several other disadvantages hindering their sustainable employability.