UK's newest university hit by age discrimination row

UCU says the decision flies in the face of the spirit of new age discrimination legislation and makes a mockery of the guidance provided by the body that represents UK universities' employers.

Vikki Harrhy, who has worked at the university for 39 years, has not been given a reason why her request to continue working past 65 has been rejected. New retirement regulations say that employers must consider an employee's right to request extending their working life.

The union has demanded the university gives the reasons behind its decision and details of all lecturers over 65 employed by the university or it will put in a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to find out. Local union activists suspect Vikki has been singled because she is a long-standing trade union officer.

The Universities and Colleges Employers' Association (UCEA), the body that represents universities as employers, says in its guidance that 'Institutions are advised to avoid policies which state that requests to work beyond normal retirement age will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.' Edge Hill University's retirement policy says that where, exceptionally, a request [to work beyond retirement age] is agreed it will be for a fixed period of time.

UCU north west official, Adrian Jones, said: 'The university's decision insults the spirit of age discrimination legislation. However, it also reveals the futility of this so-called 'law' where an employee's request to work beyond normal retirement age can be rejected for no good reason.

'Vikki is a perfectly fit and competent lecturer, has an impeccable professional record and has been a great asset to the institution for decades. The irony is that Vicki is a damned site fitter than the managers who want to force her into retirement long before her sell by date.'

UCU head of equality, Roger Kline, said: 'It's quite astonishing that Edge Hill University appears determined to put itself at the bottom of the league table for good equality practices. It's outrageous that a lecturer with nearly four decades unblemished service is being treated in this way. Some universities have a very long way to go before they implement good equality practice on age discrimination.'

Contact:
Adrian Jones - adrianjones.ucu@btinernet.com