Business leaders already see the benefit of over 65s, says IoD

Dated: 3 July 2008

In light of the case to be heard shortly at the European Court of Justice, which could result in a ruling that forces employers to retain staff beyond the normal retirement age of 65, the Institute of Directors (IoD) said:

“In an increasingly competitive environment no sensible employer wants to lose good staff just because they’ve reached a certain age.”

“The current system, where an employee can request to work beyond the normal retirement age, works well already – employers are free to retain older staff, and employees can work beyond 65 where there is mutual agreement.”

“There is no need for a change in the law and the IoD would regret any court ruling that places employers under new obligations and restricts their ability to manage workforces.”

Commenting on the court case, Miles Templeman, Director General at the IoD, said:

“Business already values the experience and skills that older workers bring. Any legal change that would force employers to retain staff beyond normal retirement age is unnecessary and would undermine business’ ability to manage vital human resources.”

ENDS

Contact Points

Edwin Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Institute of Directors, 116 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5ED
Tel: +44 (0)20 7451 3392
Mob: +44 (0)7814 386 243
Email: edwin.morgan@iod.com
Website: www.iod.com/policy

Notes to editors

  • The Institute of Directors (IoD) was founded in 1903 and obtained a Royal Charter in 1906. The IoD is a non-party political organisation with approximately 38,000 members in the United Kingdom and overseas. Membership includes directors from right across the business spectrum – from media to manufacturing, e-business to the public and voluntary sectors. Members include CEOs of large corporations as well as entrepreneurial directors of start-up companies.
  • The IoD provides an effective voice to represent the interests of its members to key opinion-formers at the highest levels. These include Government ministers and their shadows, parliamentary committee members, senior civil servants and think-tanks. IoD policies and views are actively promoted to the national, regional and trade media. Follow us on Twitter to get the IoD’s reaction on business and public policy issues.
  • The IoD offers a wide range of business services which include business centre facilities, with ten UK centres (three in London, one each in Reading, Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester, Nottingham, Norwich, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast) and one in Paris, conferences, networking events, virtual offices, issues-led guides and literature, as well as free access to business information and advisory services. The IoD places great emphasis on director development and has established a certified qualification for directors – Chartered Director – as well as running specific board and director-level training and individual career mentoring programmes.
  • For further information, visit our website: www.iod.com