Default retirement age
The Government has now confirmed that it will remove the Default Retirement Age (DRA) so that people have more choice about when to stop working. The change will be phased out between 6 April and 1 October 2011.
This change brings with it a range of employment issues which both the DWP and ACAS have addressed in a number of new publications:
But have you considered the skills implications?
As it will no longer be possible to dismiss workers on the grounds of retirement at 65, good people management will become even more important than before. Line managers and supervisors will need to hold regular discussions with employees at which they discuss not only their current performance but their future plans. This will require knowledge of your organisational policies and opportunities such as flexible working, re-training, role change, coaching and mentoring.
Effectively managing health and safety issues and completing risks assessments is another area managers will need to be familiar with.
Skills for Health has a variety of expertise and resources that can help you, your workforce and your patients benefit from this change. We are also keen to share good practice. So if you already have experience of managing without a retirement age, or examples of innovative ways in which you have responded to the needs of your older workers, please let us know so we can share your learning with others.
Get in touch with Rosemarie Simpson at Rosemarie.Simpson@skillsforhealth.org.uk for more details.
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