One Third UK Workers Unfit For Work By 60

Over one third (36.5 per cent) of UK workers believe they will be unable to do their job at 60, according to the latest statistics, revealed exclusively today (Friday) in the journal 'Hazards'. The report shows that in just six years the UK has slipped from being number one in the European league table for the proportion of workers who are confident they will be up to their current job when aged 60, to sixth. Hazards calls on employers to stop using bogus health and safety excuses to get rid of, or not employ older people, and start helping keep the ageing UK population in work and off benefits.

The report, 'Going strong', shows that the great majority of employees have no significant health impediments to prevent them working up to 65, or beyond if they wish, yet poor health is the most common reason why people over 50 leave a job, with only half retiring early by choice.

New Europe-wide survey findings revealed in the report show just 63.5 per cent of UK workers feel they will be able to do the same job when they are 60 years old. Germany tops the ranking with 73.6 per cent of its workers believing they will still be up to their jobs, followed by the Netherlands (71.2 per cent), Sweden (69.7 per cent), Denmark (68.8 per cent) and Finland (65.2 per cent). The UK has slipped to just above the EU15 average of 61 per cent and EU25 figure of 58.9 per cent.

Given the UK's 'demographic timebomb' of a rapidly ageing workforce and planned increase in state pension age, older workers should use the new age discrimination protections to keep their jobs and resist being pushed onto benefits, the report says. It adds that age laws could be used alongside disability protections to require employers to make the necessary adjustments, usually minor and inexpensive, to enable staff to stay in work as long as possible. The report also calls for older workers to have a legal right to request flexible working patterns as they move towards retirement and for employers to develop 'age management strategies' for over staff aged over 45, to minimise strains on health.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber, said:

'Britain is sitting on a 'demographic timebomb'. If we are going to enable older people to stay in work and off benefits, employers are going to have to stop pushing them out on bogus health and safety grounds and start working to keep them employed. The new age laws should be a useful tool in ensuring older workers can continue to earn a quality living but also that the UK economy benefits from the energy and expertise of a valuable section of the workforce.'

Designed, Hosted and Maintained by Oasis Heath & Safety Ltd
www.oasissafety.eu