People management experts the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) are pressing organisations to become more progressive in their approach to the employment of older workers. The institute believes that a mandatory retirement age is outdated and that organisations can gain real business benefit by becoming more flexible about retirement age.
The CIPD, which is supporting Age Positive week, (2nd - 6th December) has long campaigned to encourage organisations to become more forward thinking about the older works they employ currently as well as potential new recruits.
Dianah Worman, CIPD Adviser of Diversity says: Many organisations are still stuck in a mindset that older workers are past it or they believe that older workers should be at work all the time or not at all.
This is very shortsighted - we know that people are very often willing to be flexible in the last few years of their working lives and organisations would benefit tremendously from the skills and experience of these experienced workers.
There are many examples of employers who have already recognised this - they know that skills shortages mean it is critical to hold on to talent.
The CIPD believes that a mandatory retirement age is at odds with the age discrimination legislation which will come into force in 2006. Says Worman:
We are a few years away from this legislation, but there is no reason at all why organisations should carry on making people retire at a pre-determined, arbitrary age. You cannot put an age limit on talent and enthusiasm and it''s time we stopped writing off people because of their birth date.
The Institute is sending its members practical advice and guidance on tackling age discrimination and outlining the benefits of fostering a skilled and experienced workforce.
Says Worman: A change in attitudes towards older workers is required - this is why the Age Positive Campaign is so important. The campaign shows that ''age positive'' employers enjoy lower staff turnover rates, lower absenteeism and workers with higher levels of motivation and efficiency.
While the legislation is on the way, it''s not enough - we need to change company cultures and will continue to press home the message that ageism is bad news for employers and employees.
The CIPD also sees the present Inland Revenue rules as a major block on providing more flexible pension provision. Under the current rules it is not possible for an employee to receive a pension from the place that they are working. This means that part time working for the employer that provides your pension is not possible.
Adds Worman: Age diversity, work life balance and pensions are now part of the same agenda and we are urging employers to think creatively about how they can manage these issues.
-Ends-
CIPD urges organisations to scrap mandatory retirement age <br>
.
