A person spends more time at work, so it is necessary to strengthen the balance between work and family life. According to the results of the Eurofound foundation and the EU-OSHA agency, 25% of European workers in experience excess work stress. In the long term, the Slovak Republic, as well as many other countries, will experience significant demographic changes that will also lead to changes in the labour market. The gradual ageing of workers will become a key factor. The share of older people in the labour force will increase regardless of the retirement age. In addition, the varying levels of exposure of the workforce to cumulative pathogenic factors operating in the workplace must also be considered. Findings from various studies point to a significant influence of work and working conditions on the occurrence of difficulties in the musculoskeletal system of employees. The need for proper workplace design and its adaptation to human and technological needs is becoming more and more important. Likewise, factors such as workplace adjustment, flexible work organization, adaptation of work organization to older workers or those returning to work after illness. The paper examines the situation in Slovak industrial enterprises from the point of view of the age structure of employees, the degree of their influence by working conditions and risk factors of the work, whether the principles of ergonomics are respected in the solution of workplaces. It also describes the impact of non-compliance with ergonomic principles on the occurrence of difficulties and the health of exposed workers.