Employer Practices in HCSA to Address Fatigue, Intergenerational Conflict, and Workplace Stress and Violence

This is the final abstract of a proposed 90-minute session called “Participatory Approaches to Designing the Age Friendly Workplace”. Incivility, bullying and workplace violence are endemic in the healthcare and social assistance industry sector (HCSA) workplace and may be exacerbated by intergenerational conflict, inadequate supervisory practices and hazardous working conditions and stress. The demographic trend which is creating a large segment of older workers has special implications for this sector. HCSA work settings include acute hospitals, long term care, home care and social services. Features of HCSA work include predominantly female workers, psychological stress of human services and care giving, and providing services around the clock (24/7). Furthermore, work is often organized into 12 hour rotating day/night shifts or extremely long shifts such as those that medical residents work. Some low paid personal care assistants may even live and work in their clients homes without appreciable personal time off. These stressful working conditions can lead to chronic fatigue or burnout which, along with inadequate supervisory practices and a hazardous work environment can creates communication and interpersonal challenges in the intergenerational workforce. Employer practices that address fatigue, intergenerational conflict, bullying and workplace violence have been integrated into an a curriculum adapted for HCSA called “Designing an Age Friendly Workplace”. The training format, teaching methods and elements of the curriculum will be reviewed. Student evaluation data will be presented. This interactive session seeks to stimulate audience comments, discussion and feedback prior to finalizing and disseminating the curriculum.