News & events

Press Releases

Sort by:

Press Office

For all media enquiries contact Edwards Harvey PR on 01622 604600 or email enquiries@edwardsharvey.com

You are here: Home > News & events > Press Releases > Threat to employers from age discrimination claims

Threat to employers from age discrimination claims

04 May 2010

The coalition Government’s commitment to phasing out the national default retirement age of 65 will have a big impact on employers, says Kent lawyer Melissa Edmond.

Melissa Edmond, employment lawyer at leading regional law firm Furley Page, comments: “Once the default retirement age is abolished employers will risk unfair dismissal and age discrimination claims for forcing workers to retire and if they are unable to say with certainty when the more mature members of staff will retire there will also be implications for promotion planning and career development for younger workers.

“Employers will need to review their performance management processes so that all employees are managed appropriately, regardless of age.”

The Government’s plans to bring forward the timetable for raising the state pension age to 66 won’t take effect before 2016 for men and 2020 for women.

One way of mitigating potential problems for employers would be to offer the right to request flexi hours to all employees, explains Melissa. Older employees could then reduce their hours without having to leave work altogether which in turn may facilitate the moving on of an older employee into an alternative role, freeing up posts for younger colleagues.

The Government has vowed to promote equal pay and take a range of measures to end discrimination in the workplace - including extending the right to request flexi working to all employees - and is consulting businesses on how best to achieve this.

  • Following the defeat of the Heyday challenges to the existing default retirement age in September 2009, for the time being employers can continue to retire employees compulsorily at 65 subject to the statutory ‘right to request’ procedure.

For further information contact Melissa Edmond, Employment Law solicitor.
 

‹ Back

Quick contact

Furley Page Solicitors in Kent, London, Canterbury, Chatham & Whitstable
Get in touch on 0845 603 10 57