Selina Scott's triumph over ageism - setting a precedent?
10/12/2008
TV presenter Selina Scott's high-profile legal settlement of around £250,000 for age discrimination, and the official apology from Channel Five, has brought fresh hope to thousands of others facing similar problems in the workplace. And as many of the population are forced into working past the official retirement age, the battle to recognise and value skills and experience above age continues to gather momentum.
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Peers told "you're fired!" to highlight unjust default retirement age
Members of the House of Lords aged 65 and over have been sent 'spoof letters' telling them that it's time for them to retire. The move was designed to wake up politicians - who are not required to retire at 65 - to the injustice of default retirement for the general public.
Equality Bill "will help make Britain a fairer and more successful place"
The Equality and Diversity Forum, a network of major national equality and human rights organisations, has today welcomed the inclusion of an Equality Bill in the Queen’s Speech.
Queen's Speech "could offer huge potential” to millions of older people"
A parliamentary year with a focus on fairness could offer “huge potential” to millions of older people and provide the long-awaited equality they deserve, according to two leading older people’s charities. In a joint statement in response to the Queen’s Speech, Help the Aged and Age Concern are calling for this to be the year when the Government prioritises older people’s issues. This should give our ageing population the opportunity to play a full and active role in society.
Dismay as age discrimination law "kicked into the long grass"
Help the Aged has reacted with dismay to a written ministerial statement from Phil Hope, Minister of State for Care Services, which outlines proposals for legislation against age discrimination in health and social care will take at least another 18 months before it's even drafted.
Dame Joan to be a voice for older people
Broadcaster and writer Dame Joan Bakewell has agreed to be a ‘Voice of Older People’. Dame Joan will help raise the profile of age equality issues and encourage public debate, particularly as the Equality Bill progresses through Parliament and as work towards implementing a ban on harmful age discrimination is taken forward.
Age discrimination "continues to be a major barrier for older jobseekers"
Only 10 percent of respondents to an online survey of jobseekers aged 50+ could say they had “never experienced age discrimination when looking for work” and just 13 percent thought the age discrimination legislation introduced in October 2006 had helped older people find work.
Reflections on the Heyday Challenge
There has been disappointment over the failure (to date) of the Heyday challenge over the default retirement age in the European Court of Justice to deliver a surprise “get out of jail free” card. Chris Ball, CEO of The Age and Employment Network puts the current situation in context.
Civil Service removes retirement age
The Cabinet Office has announced plans to remove the mandatory retirement age across the civil service - sparking hopes that other employers will now follow suit and mark an end to the 'Default Retirement Age'.
Wales' 'Coming of Age'
Ruth Marks, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, has just published "Coming of Age" - the first report to come from the groundbreaking new body.
Age legislation: have we seen any real progress in the last two years?
It's two years since the "anti age discrimination" legislation came into force in the UK. But how much as really changed since then? By Beth Vaughan of The Employers Forum on Age.
Age discrimination at work - outrageous and outdated
With Rupert Murdoch, George Soros and Warren Buffett all over 76, one has to wonder why 'John Doe' cannot continue doing the accounts at Nestle at the age of 66.
Ageism: now let’s finish the job
In August, Mike O’Brien, Minister of State for Pensions Reform set out the Government’s position on ageism. Fine words, says Kate Jopling, Head of Public Affairs at Help the Aged. But there is still a lot more to be done to eradicate discrimination.
“Age gap” an urban myth, claims new research
Young and older people have nothing in common and we are a nation who don't know our neighbours? Rubbish, claims new research are urban myths, according to new research sponsored by the Government.
Choose to retire? We don't have a choice
Many people have no choice about retiring or not; particularly with the national default retirement age that gives employers, not employees the choice of when to retire. The second misconception is that there is a ‘normal retirement age’. There is no ‘normal’ retirement age. The third is that older people work to earn ‘some extra money’. Many older people must work to earn a living and pay the rising cost of living.
