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Introduction: Several factors influence retirement decisions. Personal health and physically demanding work lead to earlier retirement. More knowledge of what is required to encourage more people in physically demanding professions to extend their working lives is needed.

Aim: To explore barriers and facilitating factors for prolonged work life in physically demanding jobs.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 44 workers over 50 years of age (commercial kitchens workers, cleaners and assistant nurses) and 26 managers/HR personnel in the corresponding industries covered perceptions of health, work environment, individual adjustments, and retirement planning. Data was analyzed using Thematic Analysis.

Results: Analyses revealed four following themes illuminating barriers and facilitating factors for a prolonged working life.

1. Physically and mentally demanding jobs requiring good health

The work is described as both physically and mentally demanding and even though workers perceive their health as fairly good time has taken its toll on their bodies and more time recovery is needed.

The significance of exercise varies among individuals. Some find it essential for both physical and mental well-being, while others prioritize rest after a full workday. Managers stress the importance of exercise for handling the demanding work but face challenges in promoting it, and to balance the dialogue on employer and employee responsibilities for health.

Managers aim to improve employees’ work conditions and routines for health and safety management were in place. Despite advancements in aids and equipment increased efficiency demands have made the requirements increasingly challenging.

2. Streamlined organization and difficulties in adapting work pose barriers

Both employees and managers describe that low staffing and time pressure sometimes hinder recovery at work. Adaptations and less demanding tasks could help older workers but are hard to implement without affecting others negatively. Part-time work is suggested for better recovery and both workers and managers warrant more flexibility in scheduling.

3. A supportive and encouraging manager is important to prolong working life

Employees emphasize the manager’s role in motivating older through recognition, reasonable workloads and support. Conversely, lack of support or appreciation was described to decrease motivation to stay at work. Workers emphasized group cohesion and managerial support as central in their narratives, whereas managers had a strong focus on the physical workload.

4. Balancing of health, economy, and family in retirement planning

Participants discuss the merge of factors influencing their future decisions for retirement age, including physical ability, health, financial situation, desire for more spare time and family considerations. By some, continuing to work was also described as important to maintain supporting social relationships.

Discussion: Consistent with previous studies, we found many factors to influence retirement age decisions.

Conclusion: Implementing flexible retirement plans and fostering a supportive work environment are key strategies to address future demographic challenges.