Meeting senior workers’ needs: An innovative mixed-method approach to design customized work-life balance strategies

Literature and Research Questions Promoting healthy lives and well-being is a key priority in the European social agenda (SDG3). Demographic changes and ageing populations have heightened the urgency. Poor work-life balance (WLB) is linked to adverse health outcomes, highlighting the need to examine specific working conditions (Lunau et al., 2014). The present work analyses the determinants of work-life balance for the senior workers, analysing a unique and original ad-hoc survey. Starting from the questionnaire results, we propose an artificial intelligence (AI) approach to identify policies that enhance WLB satisfaction. Methodology This study builds on the results of an earlier and novel survey developed and administered to senior workers in Italy. The survey aimed at exploring how relational and social dynamics shape retirement plans and perceived WLB (Bramanti et al., 2025). Expanding on those insights, the present work adopts a hybrid-AI methodological approach to analyse WLB among senior workers in Italy. Rather than merely rely on survey data, it integrates econometric analysis with AI tools. allowing for a more nuanced understanding of the complex interactions between individual, familial, and occupational variables influencing WLB. Expected Results Drawing on data patterns and findings from the previous survey, we propose a web application enabling users to complete a brief assessment and receive personalized feedback regarding their WLB profile. The application also identifies the main drivers of WLB dissatisfaction, offering tailored recommendations for improvement and serving as a decision-support tool for policy design. Main Implications By highlighting the multifaceted nature of WLB among senior workers, this research advocates for the development of targeted policy instruments and personalized welfare interventions. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of intersectoral collaborative action among stakeholders. In fact, after identifying senior workers’ needs, it is crucial that policymakers are equipped with actionable insights and the means to address them effectively.