CMI reacts to Government plans to remove default retirement age

The CMI today responded to a Government announcement to phase out the default retirement age. 

Under the current system, employers can make staff retire aged 65, regardless of their circumstances.  The Government has, however, signalled that this will change because people are living longer and healthier lives.

Petra Wilton, CMI’s director of policy and research, comments:

“The recession has forced many individuals to work until later in life due to financial pressures so the decision to remove an age barrier to working is a welcome one.  In one stroke it means individuals can regain control of their lifestyle choices by allowing people to contribute to, rather than see themselves as a burden on, society. 

The changes also ensure that those who want to,can continue to use their experience and skills, contributing to the success of UK businesses and economic growth.   Our research shows that many managers will welcome this move to help them reap the benefits of experience without fearing that they have to force talented employees out the door just because one more birthday has been enjoyed”

Wilton’s comments come in the wake of CMI’s latest Economic Outlook report which revealed fears about the potential loss of skills and experience to the workplace and the impact of too much regulation.  More than 1 in 3 respondents said that management skills shortages would affect their business and 55 per cent suggested that ‘measures to reduce business regulation should be accelerated’.

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Further information:
Mike Petrook
Telephone: 020 7 421 2714
Email: mike.petrook@managers.org.uk 

NOTES TO EDITORS

• The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) is the only chartered professional body in the UK dedicated to promoting the highest standards of management and leadership excellence.  CMI is the founder of the National Occupational Standards for Management and Leadership and sets the standards that others follow
• As a membership organisation, CMI has been providing forward-thinking advice and support to individuals and businesses, for more than 50 years, and continues to give managers and leaders, and the organisations they work in, the tools they need to improve their performance and make an impact
• As the only organisation to offer qualifications from Level 2 (GCSE) to Level 8 (PhD), CMI is committed to equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge to be exceptional managers and leaders.  Qualifications and accreditations such as Chartered Manager, combined with products such as CMI’s Continuous Professional Development scheme and the online support resource, ManagementDirect, support the development of management and leadership excellence across the UK
• Through in-depth research and policy surveys of its 90,000 individual and 450 corporate members, CMI maintains its position as the premier authority on key management and leadership issues