TUC disappointed by ECJ judgement on mandatory retirement ages

Responding to the judgement announced today (Thursday) by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on Heydayís legal challenge to employersí right to use mandatory retirement ages, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

ìWith the recession putting more financial pressure on older workers, todayís judgement is a blow to those who are perfectly able and willing to work past 65, or who need to go on working just have enough money to survive. Employers should not be allowed to use age as a quick and easy way of getting rid of employees.

ìAge discrimination is still an issue in many workplaces. The ECJ judgement will leave the door open for businesses to ditch staff as soon as they hit 65, regardless of whether or not they are doing a good job and whether or not they want to stop work.

ìThe Government must now act to ensure that UK legislation allows people to work past their retirement age.î