Happy to oblige

Ontario companies support new legislation ending mandatory retirement

HR professionals in Ontario are supportive of new provincial legislation ending mandatory retirement, according to a new survey from the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario (HRPAO).

The legislation, which will take effect on December 12, 2006, will amend the Ontario Human Rights Code to protect people aged 65 and over from age discrimination for most employment purposes.

The research concludes that the majority of HR professionals not only support the new law but are preparing for the legislative changes. The survey of 173 HR professionals in Ontario found that three of four HR professionals surveyed support the abolishment of mandatory retirement.

It also discovered that seven of 10 companies surveyed are already prepared or are making the necessary arrangements to accommodate the legislative changes regarding mandatory retirement

Companies are also considering a variety of initiatives, such as job modifications for mature workers, to best respond to the new regulations

"One way to improve organizational effectiveness is to allow experienced workers, who might otherwise have been forced to retire, to stay on in the workforce and further contribute to their company's success," said HRPAO CEO, Bill Greenhalgh.

"We are encouraged to see that the HR community is well-prepared for this significant change in employment legislation. The end of mandatory retirement is the start of a new era in talent management," he said.

To read the full story, login below.

Not a subscriber?

Start your subscription today!