January 28, 2011
After months of Government and public discussion, the current default retirement age of 65 is to be finally phased out between April and October of this year. Starting from April 6th 2011, older employees who believe their age is not hindering their employment capabilities will be eligible to continue in their current roles without fear of being sacked. Under current rules, staff over 65-years of age can be forced from their job, even if still fit and able to carry out their role. According to the Government, the change has been made to accommodate people living for longer and remaining in good health until an old age. While continuing economic troubles have left many feeling that ending employment at 65 is not a viable option in the current financial environment. Employment relations minister Edward Davey said: "Older workers can play an incredibly important role in the workplace and it is high time we ended this outdated form of age discrimination." Under the reforms, dismissing an employee just because they have reached retirement age will be illegal unless the employer can objectively justify the retirement age. Where an employer has no justification, a legal claim will likely arise. Workers union TUC welcomed the change to regulation and said that staff should be judged on their skills and ability rather than age.