Personnel Today’s drive to force the government to commit to scrapping the default retirement age (DRA) has stepped up a gear after receiving support from leading age campaigner Baroness Sally Greengross.
She will be pushing for a debate in the House of Lords after peers received spoof retirement letters similar to the standard notice that all UK of workers receive when they reach 65, regardless of whether they wish to retire or not.
There are 510 peers over the age of 65 who, if governed by current employment rules, could be excluded from Parliament.
Personnel Today is supporting a campaign by the Employers Forum on Age to force the government to commit to remove the DRA in 2011, and not simply to review it. This would provide clarity and give employers time to prepare.
Greengross said: “These retirement notices have really alerted parliamentarians to the injustice of a default retirement age.
“Hundreds of parliamentarians who have passed the statutory retirement age make vital contributions – why is there one rule for us, and another for the rest of the country? This discriminatory practice forces thousands of people out of work every year.”
EFA director Catharine Pusey added: “We are campaigning to remove the discrimination that leaves many willing and able workers aged over 65 out of employment and believe that it is crucial that the House of Lords plays a role in this matter. We have asked the peers to support our campaign and to raise a short debate, for which we have received some very positive feedback.”
You can register your support for our campaign by signing the petition on the Number 10 website.
