Purpose: This report looks at ways in which the quality of work and employment can be promoted in order to encourage workers to remain in the labor market for a longer period of time and thus to achieve the economic objectives of the entities, based on job growth, quality and durability throughout the life cycle. Design/methodology/approach: the report focuses on four key areas:  ensuring career and employment security;  maintaining and promoting the health and well-being of workers;  developing skills and competencies;  reconciling working and non-working life. All of these factors are significant in shaping the age structure of Europe’s workforce. Findings: Based on the analysis we can conclude that age is an important factor in describing working conditions and that significant differences emerge between younger and older workers. For instance, compared with younger workers, older workers are less exposed to physical risks in the working environment and enjoy a higher degree of autonomy in the workplace and a lower degree of work intensityResearch limitations/implications: This paper leads to discussions about ensuring working conditions for the elderly, given that in a few years the number of elderly people will be equal to the number of active people. Practical implications: The results obtained from this work will emphasize the importance of developing a favorable work environment for the elderly. In this context, it is important to monitor the working conditions of workers approaching retirement age in order to determine the factors that may lead to their early exit from the labor market. In order to increase the sustainability of work for older workers, measures will need to focus on these issues in the future. Originality/value: the necessity to create working conditions for seniors and to monitor the sustainability of work among young workers, who face a higher incidence of job insecurity and risk exposure.