Intensive remote working and accompanying ICT issues are causing older employees to feel less motivated to continue working until the legal retirement age.
The study from Ghent University and reported by De Tijd on Thursday, which surveyed more than 1,400 employees over the age of 50, found that ICT stress leads this group to want to retire earlier.
ICT stress involves mental and/or physical complaints experienced by workers when using digital tools at work, resulting in feelings of burnout and exhaustion. The more complaints they experience, the more they express a desire to retire sooner.
"For older employees, digital changes are particularly challenging since, unlike younger employees, they did not grow up with these digital tools," says researcher Maaike Schellaert.
"Now that we better understand the impact of ICT stress, employers can take targeted action," Schellaert adds.
Proposed solutions include a "remote work buddy," where a younger employee helps an older colleague navigate the challenges of teleworking, and opting for hybrid remote work instead of intensive remote work.
