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VICTORIA – As of Jan. 1, 2008,
employees can choose when they want to retire. Changes to human rights
legislation protect all people 19 years and over from discrimination on the
basis of age. This means people cannot be forced to retire.
The
law will apply to most workplaces in British Columbia, except those regulated
by the federal government.
The change to B.C.’s
Human Rights Code – introduced last May – is the result of a recommendation
from the Premier’s Council on Aging and Seniors’ Issues. The change gives
mature workers in British Columbia choices to continue their contribution to
the workforce, if that is their wish.
As the growing population
of mature workers reach retirement age within the next decade, eliminating
mandatory retirement will allow the workforce to retain people with significant
skill sets and experience. People who choose to retire at or before age 65 will
be able to continue to do so.
Until the new law is in
force on Jan. 1, age discrimination protection under the Human Rights Code
applies to adults 19 to 64. The change is not retroactive, meaning that it does
not compel businesses to rehire an employee if the person has already retired.
Further information is
available at: www.ag.gov.bc.ca/mandatory-retirement/.
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contact: |
Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Attorney General 250 387-4962 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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