Additionally, large scale socio-economic
and technological changes in recent years
have affected workplaces considerably.
They are often collectively referred to as
“the changing world of work”. This term
encompasses a wide range of new patterns
of work organisation at a variety of
levels, such as:
• a growing number of older workers
• teleworking and increased use of information
and communication technology
(ICT) in the workplace
• downsizing, outsourcing, subcontracting
and globalisation, with the associated
change in employment patterns
• demands for workers’ flexibility both in
terms of number and function or skills
• an increasing proportion of the population
working in the service sector
• self-regulated work and teamwork