The Government has announced that it is proceeding with the abolition of the Default Retirement Age (DRA), despite representations from many organisations. This means that hospitality and catering industry employers will need to look now at the implications for their business…
The immediate position is…
• Requiring an employee to retire at a particular age will be unlawful age discrimination with effect from 1 October 2011. There will be limited, specific circumstances when an employer can ‘objectively justify’ compulsory retirement.
• Employers can continue to notify employees of intended retirement up to 6 April 2011, but that retirement must take effect before 1 October 2011.
• Employers will not be required to offer insured benefits (such as income protection, life assurance, sickness and accident insurance, private medical cover) to employees aged over 65.
Employers therefore need to review their current policy and take rapid action to remove compulsory retirement schemes.
ACAS guidance can be found at The ACAS Website
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