Retirement age abolishment would herald major HR rethink

Proposals by the UK’s equality watchdog to abolish a default retirement age would require a careful rethink of many existing HR policies and practices, according to one consultancy.

A report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission has recommended that the government scrap a law, which enables employers to force staff to finish work at 65 if they are male and 60 if they are female, because it was outdated.

Such a situation did not reflect the realities of an ageing population and an increased willingness to work by older people, the Commission said. A survey undertaken by it indicated that 24% of men and 64% of women planned to work beyond their retirement age.

But the watchdog also said that the government should extend the right to request flexible working to all staff and consider introducing incentives for personnel that chose to work in this way, particularly if they are over 50.