The impact of working conditions on sickness absence among older workers: a systematic review

Population aging poses major challenges to the health and social systems of all countries. It also affects the labor force participation of older adults, shifting toward delayed retirement. However, older workers are more likely to face health issues, leading to productivity loss through sickness absence. To explore factors associated with illness-related absence while considering the significant amount of time spent at work, we conducted a systematic review assessing the effects of physical and psychosocial working conditions on sickness absence among older workers aged ≥ 50 years. A systematic search was conducted in the MEDLINE, CINAHL Ultimate, PsycInfo, Scopus, and Web of Science databases on December 3, 2025. Additionally, a forward and backward reference search was performed. Research that focused on older working adults was scarce. In total, 24 articles were included. Results showed that high physical job demands, physical job hazards, high psychosocial job demands, low job control, low rewards, effort-reward imbalance, low collegial and high managerial social support, low procedural justice, medium role clarity, high role conflicts, skill variety, certain work-time-related characteristics (e.g., shift work, long working hours, and non-flexible work hours), and-among women-sexual violence were all associated with a higher risk of sickness absence among older workers. However, some of the presented findings were based on single studies. We identified significant work-related factors for designing interventions and a supportive environment to reduce sick leave in elder workers. Nevertheless, further age-stratified research is necessary to strengthen the evidence and accommodate the needs of the aging, economically active population.