|
GOVERNMENT UNVEILS PLANS ON AGE DISCRIMINATION
TO crack down on age discrimination in the workplace, yet more new proposals were unveiled this week by Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt, and Work and Pensions Secretary Alan Johnson.
The proposals are a key part of the European Employment Directive, prohibiting age discrimination in employment and vocational training, which the Government is committed to implementing by 2006.
Following extensive consultation last year, the Government has concluded that legislation should:-
* set a default retirement age of 65, but also create a right for employees to request working beyond a compulsory retirement age, which employers will have a duty to consider.
* closely monitor the appropriateness of keeping a retirement age, subjecting it to formal review five years from implementation. This is a big step forward in meeting the demands of an ageing society. Currently, employers can set whatever retirement age they like, with many workers being retired at 60 or even younger. But with these reforms retirement ages below 65 will be allowed only if they can be shown to be appropriate and necessary.
So, people will no longer be required to retire before 65 unless their employer has proper justification. And the right to request working beyond retirement age will help to engender a real culture change, taking us towards a world where fixed retirement ages are consigned to the past. It builds on the success in changing the culture to promote family-friendly hours through the right to request flexible working in the 2002 Flexible Working Regulations.
This decision has no impact on the age at which people can collect their state pension.
Trade and Industry Secretary, Paticia Hewitt said:- "Age discrimination is the last bastion of lawful unfair discrimination in the workplace and we are committed to tackling it.
It is vital that we widen the pool of workers so that employers can make the most of the full range of talent and skills available. Research suggests that age discrimination costs the UK £16 billion a year.
We have listened to strong representations arguing that many companies still rely on a default age for business planning purposes; and there is a danger that, without one, there could be adverse consequences for occupational pension schemes and other work-related benefits. However, we will monitor the effects of the provisions closely and will fully review the position in five years' time.
This legislation is not about forcing people to work longer. The default age is not a statutory compulsory retirement age; employers will be free to continue to employ people for as long as they are competent and capable. The right to request will help provide more choice and flexibility for those who wish to stay in work beyond retirement.
Many businesses in the UK already recognise that equality and diversity is good for individuals and good for business, and we will provide further detailed guidance and support for business in the run-up to implementation."
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Alan Johnson said:- "We want to establish a real change of culture in the workplace where people are judged on their skills and talents rather than their age. We want to move towards a world where employers no longer assume that when workers reach a certain age they have nothing to offer.
By taking action against retirement ages below 65 we offer workers clarity and more choice: they will know that the law stands behind their right to continue working to 65. And the new right to request means that, should they want to work beyond 65, they will now be able to address this with their employer.
While many firms still rely on mandatory retirement ages, an increasing number of employers are organising their workforce planning around the best practice of not having any fixed retirement age at all, and the five year review of the retirement age will take account of these trends.
Ultimately we look forward to a future where people have complete choice about when to stop working, and retirement ages become a thing of the past. If the formal review of the legislation suggests that we should abolish compulsory retirement ages, then that is what we will do."
The Department of Trade and Industry will be consulting on draft age legislation in 2005, covering this and the remaining areas, as highlighted in last year's Age Matters consultation. The legislation will ban unjustified age discrimination in recruitment, promotion and other employment terms, as well as in vocational training. The Government's Age Positive campaign is already tackling ageism and aims to influence the practices of employers and promote the business case for an age diverse workforce.
The Budget 2004 announced a new high profile national guidance campaign to support the introduction of age discrimination legislation. This will raise employers' awareness of, and ability to adopt, flexible employment and retirement opportunities in order to increase the recruitment, training and retention of older workers.
|
How Much Is That Doggy...This Christmas?
PRT owners in Britain are
about to cement their reputation as a nation of animal lovers as
they spend in excess of £240m on gifts and treats for their four
legged family members this Christmas season.
1,000 pet owners surveyed by Drontal, a leading pet healthcare
product, revealed they would be setting aside a budget on average of
£25 per pet for Christmas gifts and treats.
The research was conducted as part of Drontal's search to find the
UK's Coolest Canine and to discover more about modern attitudes to
pet ownership in the new millennium.
The UK's Coolest Canine Competition is a nationwide event described
as 'a fun alternative to specialist competitions such as Crufts'.
93% of pet owners surveyed declared they would be purchasing at least one gift or treat for their pet and 31% even stated they would 'be prepared to shop around' to find the best gifts for their four legged friends.
Drontal's research also discovered modern pet owners are far more inclined to:-
* spend time wrapping their pet's gifts
* take photos of their pet opening presents
* prepare a special Christmas meal for their pet
Not all pets are likely to enjoy Christmas though. 19% of the 1,000 owners questioned said their pet had experienced at least one Christmas mishap - with the following accidents figuring prominently at this time of year:-
* eating too much (rich) food
* treading on or consuming pine tree needles or fallen decorations
* escaping from home due to higher numbers of house guests
* being frightened by the loud noises of Christmas crackers, Champagne corks or party poppers
The most revealing statistic of all is that 79% of owners had no idea how much they would have spent on their pet during the course of their natural life in comparison to other lifestyle interests or hobbies.
It is estimated that the cost of owning a dog from a puppy until the end of their natural life expectancy is above £10,000, providing the pet is insured and does not suffer any major illness or injury during its lifetime, otherwise costs could easily be in excess of £24,000. However, when questioned 75% of pet owners perceived pet ownership to be a lower cost commitment than most hobbies or interests such as sports, gardening, photography and keep fit, a perception not supported by fact.
This may explain why many people still see a puppy as an 'ideal family Christmas gift'. Whilst initial outlay appears minimal for a present which is sure to capture the hearts of the whole family and make for a truly memorable Christmas, it's only on closer inspection of the financial commitment required when the realisation hits home that a puppy is more expensive than:-
* Hiring a Ferrari 360 Modena For a Full Week (a gift just as likely to impress the pants off the whole family on Christmas day that won't suffer any mental anguish when handed back a week into the new year!)
* Membership to a top golf club and a complete set of brand new clubs
* 18ct gold cut 1.59 carats diamond ring
* A trip to Disneyworld, Florida for a family of four PLUS spending money
* Season tickets at Man Utd, Arsenal AND Chelsea
Drontal are hopeful that, through their involvement with the UK's Coolest Canine Competition, they can get across the message that dog ownership is a fantastic, rewarding lifestyle choice but the financial and emotional commitments required to make a sound ownership decision should be well thought out and calculated, something which is a lot easier to do in January than it is in the run up to Christmas.
Liverpool launches official guide
FROM facelifts to fantastic new developments, education to the economy, culture to sculptures - Liverpool's official guide covers it all. The book gives a snapshot of the city's past, present and future, with a spectacular Chinese dragon, which stars on the front cover of the guide, will launch it this week.
Liverpool's European Capital of Culture title, iconic landmarks, chart topping successes, growing investment and the city's successful crime crackdown all feature throughout the book.
Published every 2 years, the 149 page guide is aimed at tourists and businesses who want to invest in the city. Already the 2004 edition is in great demand from the Chamber of Commerce, Business Liverpool (formerly known as Liverpool Business Centre) and leading hotels throughout the city, including the Crowne Plaza.
The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Frank Roderick, said:- "The Official Guide to Liverpool lets people know what 21st century Liverpool is like as a city to live, to invest in and to
visit
Liverpool's resurgence is generating more and more momentum, more investment and even more global interest.
This guide gives tourists and businesses the chance to learn all about Liverpool life and discover why Liverpool has been named not only European Capital of Culture for 2008, but also a World Heritage site."
The Official Guide has been written by freelance journalist Fliss Newson and is funded through sponsorships including the Northwest Development Agency, Liverpool Land Development Company, Connexions, Merseytravel and
Cains.
|
