Content
Leading article...
We can't go on like this...
General tax...
The name is Bond
Blessed are the givers
Excuses, excuses
PAYE the penalty
Silver and gold
Moving goalposts
Doctor, doctor...
Something phishy
Pension problems
Tax dot com
Unpleasant discoveries
Fair's fair (at last)
Chartered taxpayers
This year, next year
VAT...
Focus your mind
Flat rates aren't flat
Reverse the charges
Flapjack flash
Ready set ECSL
A lofty idea
Law items...
I want my lawyer
Not on my holiday
A grey area
No difference
| Age discrimination in the workplace was outlawed by the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006. However, it is still open to employers to require workers to retire at the "default retirement age" of 65. That is obviously discriminatory: yesterday you were fine in the job, today you must go for no reason other than it's your birthday. The organisation Age UK challenged this principle in the courts, but a judge upheld it - for the moment. The government allows this specific discrimination as an exception to the general rule "to protect the integrity of the labour market" - taking away the retirement age suddenly could create significant difficulties for employers and employees alike, particularly in younger groups who would find fewer jobs available to them. The judge considered that the government's promise to review the position soon - in 2010 - meant that the current rule was acceptable. It seems likely that the law will have to change, and people will be allowed to keep going until they want to leave or are dismissed on other grounds - but the idea of a compulsory retirement age may be phased out gradually. |
© Bayar Hughes & Co., 2010.