Employers can set different ages for retirement of employees which will not amount to discrimination, however, there is a big but.

The employer’s decision to retire an employee must have been objectively and reasonably justified and based on a legitimate aim. Also, the means of achieving any legitimate aim must have been appropriate and necessary.

There is going to be many more cases of this nature with people living longer now and wanting or needing to work longer.

It is important for employers to review what it states in the Employee’s Staff Manual / work policies about retirement. This is also true of the employee’s contract.

• When does it state the person will be notified they will be required to retire in the staff manual ?.
• When does it state an employer makes this decision ?.
• Is the staff manual or employment contract definitive on any compulsory retirement timeline, or does it state that a decision will be made at the time ie coming up to the retirement date ?. The precise wording is very important. If there is no reference in the employees contract to a compulsory retirement date, or if there is no reference in a staff handbook to a compulsory retirement date, the employer will have a task to provide persuasive evidence that there was objective justification based on a legitimate aim in respect of the decision to dismiss the employee.

The Code of Practice on Longer Working Order of 2017 can give employers and employees alike guidance steps to follow when this issue arises at work which should should be read and followed.

Cleary & Co. Solicitors, Litigation Law Firm 

Kieran Cleary and Roger Cleary Employment Law Solicitors can help with questions you may have regarding employment law matters and our numbers are (01) 546 1121 or  (052) 612 1999 or our email address is info@clearysolicitors.com

Employment Law Articles