Forced to be pensioned off.....

[Papaumau]

It seems to me that the government have two sets of rules here. It seems that when an ordinary citizen reaches pensionable age - say 65 - they have to get out of employment and get pensioned off.

This rule does not seem to apply to certain groups that are exempt, like Judges, MPs, members of the house of Lords and certain captains of industry.

I have often wondered why this should be the case and is it not patently unfair to discriminate against ordinary people in this way ?

[Hells Granny]

It certainly would seem so at first sight, but then look more closely and the professions you mention are all for desk pilots.

For those of us  in physically demsnding  jobs, we are a bit creaky in the joints by then!

How  many over-65 MPs do we have as well? I can think of a few.

Cheers, HG

[Papaumau]

The "bench" and the House of Lords seems perfect ways for these old codgers to have a wee sleep while supposed to be doing a VERY valuable job !

I think that the most important aspect of this policy is - or should be - based on the CHOICE of the individual and at some point if they can stay awake to do the job.

Just like driving a car at age, doing a job at age should apply to each individual and not to any arbitrary point laid down for any wide demographic based on age alone.

In other words, if they are fit enough and awake enough to be able to do the job then they should have that choice so long as they don't displace the young folk while they do it.

[Wrinkles]

The trouble with both the lords and the commons is they have nothing to compare with as the majority have never had a "Proper Job"

[Papaumau]

Surprisingly, you may find that many MPs are holding down "day" jobs while they are supposed to be working for us.

Many members of parliament and even government ministers in the commons are also "consultants" or junior directors of multiple numbers of private companies while they are supposed to be acting for us.

I have always wondered why this is allowed as I would have been sacked from any of my previous jobs if I had "moonlighted" while I was supposed to be employed full-time.

The worst offenders are members of the House of Lords who regularly sit on these boards as non-executive directors of two, three or four or more companies. Some of them have recently been hammered for acting on behalf of these companies - for cash payments - while carrying out their House of Lords duties.

I would suspect that probably all of them in both houses have little jobs reserved for them with private companies if ever they get booted off that particular gravy train.
 

[Wrinkles]

As you say many, from both houses, are sitting on boards and committees as advisor's and some holding down several "jobs". However I think  the salient point here is the definition of "Job". So I will reiterate what I said in my post above "most have never had a proper job"

[Papaumau]

Yes, I am sure that NONE of them have ever had to use a pick and shovel !

[Wrinkles]

Pick and shovel? Most wouldn't even know what they were 

[John]

You have never seen a member of the group you mention
going to an Employment Tribunal either.

Gordon is dragging his feet on the employer's right to
compulsory retire those attaining the age of 65.

It will open a bag of worms. We may be living longer
but that is not an automatic reason to work longer.

Matters are in a mess. Nothing new there.