Infozone – the briefing: 05/03/10
EMPLOYERS RELYING ON DRA TO FORCE STAFF TO LEAVE THE WORKPLACE
Use of the default retirement age (DRA) of 65 has "spiralled out of control" as employers rely on the legislation to force more than 100,000 staff to leave the workplace during the recession, a survey has revealed.
Age UK said the forced retirements were part of a bid by employers to cut back on their staffing levels and avoid making costly redundancies. The figure was four times higher than the level the charity expected when the DRA was first implemented in 2006.
MORE PEOPLE WORKING UNPAID OVERTIME TO HELP FIRMS RECOVER
The number of staff working more than 10 hours of unpaid overtime a week shot up by 14,000 last year. Research conducted by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) found nearly 900,000 workers undertook ‘extreme' overtime last year. More than five million people in the UK clocked up an average of seven hours and 12 minutes' unpaid overtime a week, worth £27.4bn, or £5,402 each.
Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, said: "Staff are doing all they can to help their company recover from the recession - and bosses should thank them for going that extra mile. But working time needs to be properly managed. A long-hours culture is bad for workers' health and family life, whether the hours are paid or not."
INVOLVE STAFF IN COST SAVINGS AND YOU'LL SAVE MONEY, SAYS REPORT
Staff can save you money, according to a report offering cost saving tips. Creating Value: Saving Money and Making Money for You and Your Business suggests that getting a team involved in cost savings can be a positive way to generate innovative ideas and enthuse employees.
For more money-saving ideas visit www.caterersearch.com/CVS
