Changing society's views
on both
retirement and old age
I can't believe it's October. We've had such wonderful weather it's difficult to imagine we're into Autumn.
I think we should be celebrating five years on from the Age Discrimination Act of October 20th. No-one can be automatically retired at 65. I think this is a great breakthrough. It enables us all to choose when we want to retire rather than being forced to. (Some organisations, such as partnerships, may have other regulations, but I expect they'll change soon as well).
I doesn't of course mean you have to work beyond 65 it means that you can choose, are still being treated as an adult and able to make your own decisions.
Alongside this, employers are now going to have to take responsibility to manage their staff properly. Gone are the days when they put up with inadequate work, as they only had 3 years to wait until the employee retired. If someone, whatever their age isn't meeting the standards, they need to be offered training and if they still under perform they need to be managed out. I'm all for us all taking more responsibility!
One of the issues raised by many of my clients is ageism. They see it as rife in their organisations. Lots of people stay in jobs they no longer enjoy and some actually hate, because they are frightened that they'll never find another job. It seems to me this fear kicks in for all by 50 plus, and for many before that. I'm still not convinced that the only reason people don't get jobs is age, however I do agree it is often a factor. I hope that this change in the law allowing us to work as long as we want will change society's views on both retirement and old age.
I'd be really interested to hear your views on ageism, any experiences you've had and how you think this change in retirement age will play out in the work place.
Have a good month
Best wishes
Keren
www.experiencematters.org.uk
email - info@experiencematters.org.uk
tel - +44(0)208 347 6260
'Feel Fab and Look Good!'
Saturday 26th November
at our premises
in Highgate