PAPER E

 

Committee :    RESOURCES SELECT COMMITTEE

 

Date :              20 DECEMBER 2002

 

Title :              POLICY ON AGE DIVERSITY AND EMPLOYMENT OVER AGE OF 65

 

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING SERVICES




REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION


To vary Council’s current policy in respect of employment of staff over the age of 65 and introduce a policy on age diversity.

 

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE

Approve, subject to any amendments, the policy on age diversity and recommend its formal adoption to the Executive.


BACKGROUND


At the meeting on 9 October 2002, Members considered a report on the employment of staff over the age of 65. Subject to consultations, Members agreed to recommend that the Council’s current policy that all employees be required to retire at 65 should be varied to allow employees to remain in Council employment or be recruited beyond their 65th birthday. The Staff Side were consulted at the most recent Joint Consultative Board (see below) and a draft policy on age diversity is attached for the Select Committee’s consideration.


RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS


The following are considered applicable : BVPI14 - Percentage of employees retiring early. Varying the policy may have a potential impact on the quality of life of older workers.


CONSULTATION PROCESS


There has been consultation with trade unions through the Joint Consultative Board. The policy is generally welcomed although some concerns were expressed that retaining or recruiting employees beyond the age of 65 should not be at the expense of opportunities for younger workers. This should not be the case and a philosophy of ‘growing our own’ ie developing a training scheme and career planning will be the subject of a future report.


FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS


There are no potential financial or crime and disorder implications arising from this report. It does, however, pre-empt future UK legislation with regard to age discrimination arising from EU Directives.


APPENDICES ATTACHED


Draft policy on age diversity and management guideline.






BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT


DfEE Guidance and Case Studies on age diversity in employment.

Various Employers Forum on Age documents



Contact Point : Max Burton, ☎ 3121 e-mail [email protected]




M FISHER

Head of Paid Service