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Paul Kreuz
Member - 39 posts
I have found that there is no way to enforce this ruling, companies who do now wish to employ older workers simply say that they have other applicants closer to their requirements, i.e. younger, and only if they are covered by the ‘Freedom of Information Act’ can you take it further. Even those covered by the FOI find ways around the law.
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Chris Ball
Member - 2 posts
This accords with our view in TAEN - The Age and Employment Network. We too have regular contacts with people who feel that they have suffered age discrimination. There reports point pretty convincingly to the fact that age discrimination is still a common experience of employees.
The problem appears to be particularly acute around retirement. The default retirement age has served to formalise 65 as the date when people leave in some companies though a relatively tiny number of enlightened employers are abolishing the age of retirement as a fixed date. The so called "right to ask" to remain in work beyond the retirement date is very patchily observed as far as we can see. Notice of forced retirement is commonly less than the minimum of six months recommended by ACAS.
Obviously, one hopes that flexible approaches will become more common though the majority of employers seem to be showing people the door when they reach 65, irrespective of the implications in terms of lost talent and skills to the organisation.
As a non profit organisation dedicated to making the labour market work better for older and mid-life people, TAEN offers opportunities to meet and discuss aspects of "age management." "Age management represents an esssential body of knowledge and practice for HR Professionals. They surely need new skills and techniques to make sense of demographic change and the pressures population ageing will place on skills and talent resources in companies and organisations.
TAEN's view briefly, is that mere compliance with the law is only the first step. By the look of it - and on the evidence of this news item - we haven't remotely reached this first base yet!
Chris Ball - Chief Executive TAEN
Chris.Ball@taen.org.uk
www.taen.org.uk
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