The law should be changed to better allow the retention of older employees – particularly those aged over 65 – one sector commentator has urged.
Dr Ros Altmann, advisor to the pension industry, said such a change would be "very good news" for workers who were coming up to retirement age and wanted to stay in employment because currently the law did not protect such individuals, meaning employers were able to fire them for their age.
She called this fact "ridiculous".
"It will be up to employers to manage their HR in such a way that they can assess whether someone is able to do the job and demonstrate that, rather than just saying ‘oh well, you’re 65, goodbye’," Dr Altman claimed.
She went on to add that encouraging people to work for longer would be part of the solution to the current pensions crisis.
Her comments come as the government launches the Building A Society For All Ages strategy, to help the UK prepare for an ageing society.
Taking into consideration the potential change of employment law regarding the retention of older employees, especially those over the age of 65, what plans are being put in place to secure jobs/working careers for the graduates and school leavers who will be entering the labour market every year? As well as for those who are already unemployed, and have little chance of securing a job due to lack of skills or training available, particulary within the constantly diminishing manufacturing sector?
I completely agree that the law is at odds with growing economic reality of a shrinking 18-65 population supporting a growing over 65 population, if people wish to work on, and they are capable of doing so, then an employer should not have the right to fire them simply because they are over 65, it is legalised age discrimination.
The current recession will not last forever, and young people, if they keep attempting to get into the job market will do so eventually. Volunteering is a good way to get that vital experience that is currently being thrown away by firing the “oldies”, a better balance can surely be found with imagination and good will.