Fundamental Changes to Employment policies to benefit older workers
With the demographics of the working population changing in the UK*, the government is launching a set of proposals to protect the rights of older workers.
* By 2031 there will be 15 million pensioners even though the pension age will have increased to 66 for men and women after 2024. In comparison, the numbers of children will rise from 11.5 million to 13 million in 2031. Currently the average age of the population is 39.6 and this will reach 40.6 by 2016 and 42.6 by 2031 - (Source: Office of National Statistics)
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is today launching a set of proposals for fundamental changes to employment policies to open up more work opportunities for older Britons, addressing the challenges of an ageing workforce. Research from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research shows that extending working lives by 18 months would inject £15 billion into the British economy.
Baroness Margaret Prosser, Deputy Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: “Britain has experienced a skills exodus during the recession and as the economy recovers we face a very real threat of not having enough workers - a problem that is further exacerbated by the skills lost by many older workers being forced to retire at 65.”
The proposals include abolishing the default retirement age, the extension of the right to request flexible working to all, overhauling employer recruitment practices to prevent discrimination and improved training and development. It comes as the Lords today have the opportunity to remove the default retirement age through the Equality Bill.
Article source: APSCo Newsletter 25 Jan
Tags: employment policies to benefit older workers, employment policy changes
