Wellness Wednesday

Working Too Long Can Really Scrooge You in the Long-Term
Much like the man from the beloved Christmas Carol, working long hours isn't good for your immediate social health or long-term physical health.

In a world where health insurance premiums are constantly rising with the cost of living, while wages remain stagnant, many older Americans are choosing to stay at work. While this decision to stay at work longer may seem financially beneficial in the long-term, the cost in regards to the damage it causes the person's health is a lot higher. According to the Census of Fatal Occupation Injuries, Americans age 55 and older have the highest rate of fatal work injuries among all age groups, and it worsens with an increase in age. The increase in fatalities is also relatively job-specific, as the more the job requires an increase in physical work and dexterity. The fatalities also specifically seem to affect men much more so than women, as men made up 1,728 fatalities in 2016 compared to 110 women fatalities. 

Those 55 and older who are still a part of the workforce saw an increase of about 3 percent from 2010 to 2016, setting the pace for a 55 and older workforce make-up of 25 percent in 2024. Workplace fatalities were at an 8-year high, with workers 55 years and older making up 36 percent of the fatalities even though they only made up 23 percent of the workforce. Older workers also missed more days of work compared to those who were under the age of 55, averaging well over the median for younger workers. While maintaining a job may be necessary for many of those who are older for financial reasons, it is important to keep in mind the physical limitations that older age brings when working in a physical workplace.