STIRRER'S ANTI-AGEISMCAMPAIGN GATHERS SUPPORT

24-02-2007

The Stirrer's campaign for equality in the workplace for the elderly has won the backing of thenational charity Age Concern. They were responding to our recent story that a 71-year old Birmingham man was among 140 employees who'd given their cards by Enterprise Rent-A-Car for being "too old."

As we reported on this site and in the Birmingham Mail, Ken Jarret from Bournville was forcibly retired from his valeting and driving job, simply because he was over 65.

That's Enterprise's mandatory retirement age for managers, and they say they fear they could be in breach of anti-discrimination laws unless they have the same rules for other workers too (see the article here).

It's a claim that cuts no ice with Age Concern, whose Director General Gordon Lishman issued a hard-hitting statement, saying: “The plans by Enterprise Rent-a-Car to introduce a Mandatory Retirement Age that forces people to retire at 65 are astounding, ill-founded and discriminatory.

“This decision will have a major impact on the hardworking people who have a need or desire to continue working for Enterprise Rent-a-Car. We have already been contacted by employees of this company who are worried by this announcement.

“This move is an own goal for the business itself. Many companies have seen the benefits of employing older people - such as low absenteeism rates, good people skills, dedication and solid experience. No doubt their head office in St. Louis, Missouri, is benefiting from its older employees - it is illegal in the United States to force people to retire just because of their age.

“The company should value all their workers - whatever their age. They are simply putting prejudice ahead of experience.”

The National Council on Ageing (which includes Age Concern) is now challenging the law which allows employers to set mandatory retirement ages, and the case is being referred to the European Court of Justic.

The Stirrer's campaign has also excited the interest of the national media - more details to follow.