With the retirement age rising and technology advancing at lightning speed, getting staff to keep up is a challenge, both physically and mentally. Logistics therefore needs to work on making and keeping employees sustainably employable, evofenedex believes. The industry association advises companies on sustainable employability during Logistica. Five questions to Joost Christis, sustainable employability advisor at evofenedex.
In industries where people work from a young age, wear and tear occurs over time. This is a problem of all times. Why is sustainable employability now a hot topic?
"The big change, of course, is in the increase in the retirement age. Another aspect is that, due to the 24-hour economy, work increasingly has to be done in the evening or at night. This makes recovery more difficult. The mental aspect also plays a role in the strain on employees due to the need to continue learning and developing. For example, when companies are taken over by a foreign company, the working language suddenly becomes English. Go figure if you haven't spoken English all those years. The same goes for technology. The technical department used to carry a toolbox, now they carry a laptop."
Is logistics already much engaged in sustainable employability?
"Every employer is obliged to shape health and healthy working. Only how they do it, there is a big difference. Some hang up an A4 sheet, others deal with it actively and, for example, train staff to become trainers to signal whether their colleagues are suffering from something. The position of HR is a clear indicator of maturity on sustainable employability. Organisations with an HR department close to management tend to be strong on it. But there are also companies that forget about human capital.
Where to start as an employer if you want to get started with sustainable employability? "It is a process, both for the employer and the employee. If both parties realise that health, motivation and professional knowledge and skills play a major role, you will already have come a long way. For that, you need to start the conversation and realise action points. Your organisation's goal is often clear. Do your people fit into it? If not, how can you help them? Suppose Johan, aged 50, can no longer lift. In the current situation, people often don't know what to do with Johan. Then you see Johan fall between two stools. You don't want to just get rid of him, but keeping him on board isn't always profitable either. So have a talk with Johan. Where can you help as a company?"
If Johan can no longer lift, aren't you actually a bit too late to have such a conversation?
"Actually, yes. It doesn't dawn on many companies until it's too late: 'Everyone is 50, now what?' The same goes for technological developments. Companies often only change when the water is up to their lips, and then it has to happen fast. If you include people in the processes going on, you can make sure your staff can anticipate them in time. But employees also have a responsibility at the front end. Truck drivers have one-sided work. They work long hours and often eat poorly. They, too, need to take better care of their health. Make sure you exercise regularly, even on the road! Put tomatoes and peppers in a cooler to eat healthier."
Why are aids such as an exoskeleton not used more often to support warehouse workers in physically demanding work?
People find it a hassle to work with something like that, but there is also a certain perception surrounding aids. If you have a certain condition, are you going to ride a tricycle? Here too, the company plays a big role. How do you communicate aids within the organisation? Do only two people wear it or do you recommend it to several people?
During the Logistica trade fair, you will give a workshop on sustainable employability. Who is the workshop for?
"During the workshop, I focus mainly on executives: logistics managers, warehouse managers. Everyone is welcome, both people who are already doing something with it and people who don't know about it yet. We can learn from each other. What is the first step for you? Your neighbour might have taken that one five years ago. Let's engage with each other!"
The Sustainable Employability workshop will take place daily during Logistica on 28 29 and 30 November. Want to be sure of a place? Then register below.
28 November 14:45 - 15:15
29 November 14:45 - 15:15
30 November: 11:00 - 11:30
