Enhancing Healthy and Sustainable Working Lives: The Impact of Societal Changes and Risk Factors Across Diverse Age and Marginalised Groups

Dr. Ieva Reine

In this project, we aim to address the complex transformations currently reshaping the modern workplace, driven by technological advancements, demographic shifts, and evolving societal norms. Central to our study is understanding how these changes uniquely impact various demographic groups, thereby informing strategies for fostering a healthy and sustainable working environment.

Research objectives:

Our objectives are twofold:

1. Analyze impact on different age and social groups: We will investigate how emerging workplace changes affect different age cohorts—specifically, young professionals and older workers—and marginalized groups, including women, ethnic minorities, and individuals with disabilities. The goal is to identify key risk factors and protective measures specific to each group.
2. Evaluate broad influences: We will assess how individual characteristics (e.g., health status, education), socioeconomic factors (e.g., income, job security), and environmental conditions (e.g., workplace safety, community support) converge to influence working life.

Methodology:

To achieve these objectives, we will employ:

• Microsimulation models: Utilizing tools like MIDAS, we will project the socioeconomic impacts of societal changes to understand their implications on old age poverty and other demographics.
• Econometric analysis: Through statistical methods, we will quantify the effects of societal changes and identify significant predictors of workplace outcomes.

Expected outcomes:

• Enhanced understanding: Our research will deepen knowledge on how societal changes and risk factors affect working life across different groups.
• Strategic recommendations: We will develop targeted recommendations for policies and practices that support active and healthy aging and sustainable employment.

This project is poised to make a significant contribution to the discourse on active and healthy aging, offering valuable insights for policymakers, employers, and researchers aimed at creating more inclusive and adaptable working environments. By focusing on these targeted areas, we ensure a comprehensive approach that addresses both specific and broad-scale factors affecting the workforce today.

A public seminar at Freiburg Institute for Basic Income Studies is planned in May 2025. The speakers will be both all respresentatives from Riga Stradins University as well as hosting partners.

Another seminar, closer to the accomplishment of the project, will take place in August/September 2025 at Riga Stradins Uiversity. Speakers will represent the hosting institution, University of Freiburg and Vilnius University.

Direct: Senior researchers (6), doctoral students (3), Master student (1)

Indirect: Other researchers, representatives of governmental institutions, policy makers, general population (20 total)