The Employer Perspective on Sustainable Employability in the Construction Industry.

OBJECTIVE To determine the measures employers in the construction industry take to promote sustainable employability, the barriers and facilitators that influence implementation and employer needs. METHODS Questionnaire among 499 employers and interviews with 17 employers. RESULTS Employers expressed a need for alternative jobs for workers who can no longer perform physically demanding tasks, as well as means to stimulate proactive employee behavior. Measures frequently targeted the work environment (95%) and employee health (79%), less frequently personal development (63%) and organization (65%). Implementation was influenced by economic factors, rules and regulations, client demands, employee demands, company vision, company culture, and time/manpower/expertise. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of measures aimed at reducing physical load and the promotion of personal development are needed.