[Workload and health of older employees in service occupations].

Presented are the results of a representative survey of the German work force (N = 34,343) regarding work load and work-related diseases. The study comprises females and males aged 45 years and older, who are occupied in the service sector (N = 8310). The findings show that older workers in this economic sector have to bear considerable physical and mental work loads that are often higher than those for the total labor force. The results presented point to the need to encourage and practice a more comprehensive health promotion for older workers in the service sector.