Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Age discriminationEquality, diversity and inclusionWellbeingOccupational HealthOpinion

Dame Carol Black’s workplace health review makes growing old worthwhile

by Personnel Today 7 Mar 2008
by Personnel Today 7 Mar 2008

That Carol Black is a damned fine woman. I know I was the one who was less than complementary about her performance a while ago but now I’m hers, hook line and sinker.

 

In fact, I have a very soft spot for her. She has hidden talents and attributes that have come to light overtime and Mrs Elf is very complementary about her wardrobe – do you think she gets an allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions?

 

I never thought I’d say it but I feel quite privileged to have been at one of her national meetings. How sad is that? The last time I had such a flush of admiration was when I first saw Barbara Windsor pop her bra in Carry on Camping.

 

She’s taking a bit of time with this Carol-Black’s-Review Review of Working Age People though isn’t she, and it’s not as if she writes it all herself. I bet she has a whole office full of DWP flunkies tending to her every whim and fancy – a typical government office takes 10 people to do a job that one would have to do anywhere else.

 

I’ve been wondering what’ll come out of it in the end. Don’t expect it to be too radical, though you can expect a big emphasis on rheumatology which will please all the older workers of which Dame Carol is one, of course.

 

My view is that reasonable adjustments for the older worker will see the provision of slippers in the office and bunion buffers for those that are ‘out and about’ in the course of their work – postmen etc.

 

Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance

Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday

OptOut
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Coffee breaks will be replaced with Ovaltine or Horlicks breaks and the washrooms will have stocks of Steradent, Fixadent, Deep Heat and Incontinence pads available for all us oldies over the age of 50.

I’ve heard that a new ‘Carry On’ film is in the pipeline: Carry On Working – or not, if you’re currently an incapacity benefit claimant.

Personnel Today

Personnel Today articles are written by an expert team of award-winning journalists who have been covering HR and L&D for many years. Some of our content is attributed to "Personnel Today" for a number of reasons, including: when numerous authors are associated with writing or editing a piece; or when the author is unknown (particularly for older articles).

previous post
Public sector employers need to give staff more freedom to be creative
next post
Acas risks losing credibility if staff strikes go ahead

You may also like

One in eight senior NHS managers from black...

1 Jul 2025

Welfare cuts would ‘undermine workforce inclusion and business...

27 Jun 2025

Progressive DEI policy is a red line for...

27 Jun 2025

Supporting employees through substance abuse

24 Jun 2025

BBC Breakfast bullying and misconduct allegations under investigation

20 Jun 2025

Finance professionals expect less emphasis on ESG and...

18 Jun 2025

One in four young workers rate mental health...

17 Jun 2025

Lack of role models a ‘barrier’ for people...

17 Jun 2025

Pride 2025: why corporate allyship still matters

16 Jun 2025

HR is second ‘most sexist profession’ survey suggests

13 Jun 2025

  • Empowering working parents and productivity during the summer holidays SPONSORED | Businesses play a...Read more
  • AI is here. Your workforce should be ready. SPONSORED | From content creation...Read more

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2025

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2025 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today