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11/02/2004
Smaller firms take lead in employing 'reliable' older workers
Smaller firms are taking the lead in tapping into the wealth of talent and experience that older workers offer, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Andrew Smith said today.
Speaking at Age Concern's The Age Agenda conference today, Mr Smith said that it was a myth to suggest that older people were less effective workers – they had proved to be a "more motivated, reliable and flexible workforce".
There are more and more people of a pensionable age remaining inside the workforce - the number of people aged 50 or over in work has increased by over a million in 1997. And smaller employers were acting as trailblazers in the labour market in the employment of older people, Mr Smith said.
He added: "We know that many people nearing state pension age do not necessarily want to stop working completely – instead they want to choose how and when they stop working. Not only for the obvious financial benefits, but because older workers are more likely to enjoy high levels of job satisfaction."
The minister said that the government was looking at giving people the option to defer their state pension and receive either an enhanced pension or a lump sum as one incentive to keep active.
Mr Smith also pointed to the forthcoming Pensions Bill, which is intended to improve pension security and "restore confidence" in the pension system. The Bill will set up a Pension Protection Fund - so that as to much sure that "a pension promised is a pension honoured".
(gmcg)
Speaking at Age Concern's The Age Agenda conference today, Mr Smith said that it was a myth to suggest that older people were less effective workers – they had proved to be a "more motivated, reliable and flexible workforce".
There are more and more people of a pensionable age remaining inside the workforce - the number of people aged 50 or over in work has increased by over a million in 1997. And smaller employers were acting as trailblazers in the labour market in the employment of older people, Mr Smith said.
He added: "We know that many people nearing state pension age do not necessarily want to stop working completely – instead they want to choose how and when they stop working. Not only for the obvious financial benefits, but because older workers are more likely to enjoy high levels of job satisfaction."
The minister said that the government was looking at giving people the option to defer their state pension and receive either an enhanced pension or a lump sum as one incentive to keep active.
Mr Smith also pointed to the forthcoming Pensions Bill, which is intended to improve pension security and "restore confidence" in the pension system. The Bill will set up a Pension Protection Fund - so that as to much sure that "a pension promised is a pension honoured".
(gmcg)
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Minister announces good news for older workers
TANAISTE and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Harney, has announced new changes in Community Employment which means older workers can now benefit from an extended period of participation in the programme. Persons over 50 years of age may now remain in the programme longer than the normal period of three years.
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Free IT Classes Announced For Older People
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Free IT Classes Announced For Older People
Deputy Belfast Lord Mayor, Alderman Guy Spence, is urging older people to learn more about IT with free classes at local community centres. Alderman Spence was promoting a five week basic internet course at Dee Street Community Centre aimed at getting older people to take the plunge and become computer literate.
29 April 2002
UK workers face shorter working week
The European Commission has ordered Britain to close loopholes in its labour laws following a complaint from union, Amicus. Britain's second biggest union said that the UK government had "unlawfully and inadequately" implemented measures limiting the working week to 48 hours.
UK workers face shorter working week
The European Commission has ordered Britain to close loopholes in its labour laws following a complaint from union, Amicus. Britain's second biggest union said that the UK government had "unlawfully and inadequately" implemented measures limiting the working week to 48 hours.
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