LTB 297/11 - Default Retirement Age

[POSTMAN]

TO ALL POSTAL BRANCHES





Dear Colleague



RE: Default Retirement Age



LTB 140/11 dated 11th February 2011 informed branches that subject to parliamentary approval the default retirement age would be phased out over a transitional period running until 30th September 2011. Representatives from Royal Mail Group and CWU formed a Joint Working Group to consider the impact of the new regulations on exit and recruitment processes, benefits as well as the wider HR policies.



We have received correspondence from Royal Mail Group indicating that the company is still considering whether it can pursue an employer justified retirement age (for example whether an EJRA can be linked to the Business Transformation Agreement).



In the meantime to maintain legal compliance, the business will be:



Suspending the Duty to Consider process from the end of March for individuals turning 65 from 1st October 2011.

Removing the existing age cap of 64 ½ for recruitment from 6th April 2011.

Continue to use the process for those turning 65 before this date.



A question had been raised as to whether the legislative changes cover Northern Ireland, the business has consulted its legal team and the expectation is that the DRA will be removed in Northern Ireland at the same time as in England, Wales and Scotland, though it will be achieved through separate regulations which have not been published as yet. However the business will be implementing the changes set out above in Northern Ireland from the end of March.

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to Ray Ellis’s department,
quoting reference PTC/MA/dj/035

Email address: rellis@cwu.org