Cleaner told he is too old for job
Wednesday 11th February 2009, 11:40AM GMT.
Daniel Kawczynski MP and Brian Davies, who is being forced to retire. Picture: Peter Shah.
A 70-year-old Shropshire cleaner claims he has been told he has to leave his job by health service bosses because he is too old.
Brian Davies, who works for the NHS in Shrewsbury, is “absolutely disgusted” after being told by bosses that he must retire by June because he is above retirement age.
See also: The strife of Brian
Mr Davies, of Shorncliffe Drive, Copthorne, claims there are a further 26 employees who could also be affected.
His case and the plight of others who work at the Shelton Hospital has now been taken up by Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski, who has accused the South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust of breaking the law.
Mr Davies has been working at William Farr House, Copthorne, for seven years. He said: “I feel absolutely disgusted because I do the job well. I have worked for seven years and have had no periods of sickness.”
Mr Kawczynski said: “There are laws in place to stop people discriminating against workers because of their age. I believe they are breaking the law . . .”
Richard Beeken, chief operating officer of the trust, said: “We can confirm that staff are notified of their retirement dates and also we detail the fact that staff can request to work beyond their retirement date and the trust give full and careful consideration to all requests in accordance with the requirements of the legislation.”
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Yes I feel for you, but there are a lot of people missing out on jobs beacause people are working longer & longer after retirement,I work for the NHS & I will have to retire at 65,no choice,but at least someone else will have a chance.
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I would have thought that filthy place needs all the cleaners it can get!
Then again maybe another manager is required!
Hope I die before I get old!
So much tax so much dross!!
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65 is the retirement age, is it not? Mr Davies is depriving younger people with families the opportunity of a job and income.
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give the young a chance brian .
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He’s 70 for pitys sake! 5 years over retirement age. Bet you he still picks up his pension every week. Let a younger person have his job and shorten the dole queue by one.
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Have to say I agree – he should be enjoying his retirement and letting a younger person with a family take on his position.
He could always carry out voluntary work if he wants to at the league of friends
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I see our erstwhile MP has found another bandwagon to jump on!!!
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Well done Brian! A lot of the younger trash wouldnt want the job anyway – and certainly wouldnt be as thorough. so stop your moaning.
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Im with you “Old Git”.
I bet Brians attitude to work would be much better than some of the youth today. Let Brian stay.
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Brian should not be forced out by his employer. I bet he is much more concientious in his work than half of the youth of today.
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Once again Daniel embarrases himself by leaping on a bandwagon that wasn’t going anywhere in the first place.
I’m with most of the contributors so far – why on earth would anyone want to work until they die? Have a rest Mr Davies – I’m sure you’ve earned it, and it will give someone else the opportunity of work. If you wish to remain active in retirement there are all sorts of things you could do to continue making a positive contribution to society.
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Yet again, Mr Kawczynski needs to check his facts before he runs to the press with his latest crusade. The default retirement age since the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations came into force on 1 October 2006 has been 65. Employees have the right to request to work beyond this age, but the employer has no legal obligation to accept this request and can insist that anyone over 65 retires. As long as the process is followed and the employee is given the right to appeal the employer’s decision the law is not being broken.
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Im Afraid I have to agree, he will get his nice fat NHS pension, so where’s the problem?
A person of under 21 doesnt get any of the benefits he does, so it is almost greedy of him to complain.
And as for our beloved MP… Is this really the best way to raise your profile? Sticking up for one pensioner at the expense of a young person? Come on Dan! There are bigger fish to fry!
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A lot of these types of posts are difficult to fill, so before everyone says let someone younger have it, perhaps no one younger wants it?
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I read this story from Canada,good luck Brian you should be able to keep your job as long as you can.What is there to look forward to in retirement everything is so expensive,even his pension wouldn’t help support him.GOOD LUCK BRIAN
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Brian take your well deserved retirement and find some voluntary work although I am assuming you do not have finacial reasons for wanting to work on?
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Has every right to work . Depriving a younger person? speaking as an employer they the so called young are too idle.Retirement is NOT65 and many do not have enhanced private pensions only the state pension i spend more on my hobbie than the old timers get.
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bovered
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its so sad but at 70 mate you are past it to do manual work, give the guy a good pension, or maybe an office job to see him off, he’s earned our respect for his graft in the public service, BUT hes too old to do this any more for safetys sake alone retire mate
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Basic cleaning duties to old??
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One of my, if not my best employees is 78 still dose a manual job and is fitter and harder working than pepole a third his age. Always the first in and last out at the end of the day. never takes a day off “sick” and is honest. He is happy to work, he wants to work and can work. How sad that so many above see some one over a certain age as redundent to the needs of the country. I am not yet 50 but will retire at sixty if all gose to plan. THis is my choice and so be it. As long as a worker wants or needs to work let them work. If their work is no longer up to sratch you can then get rid of them if you want with very little trouble. Age alone is not the key and I hope when some above get laid off because of age they remember this day.
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I’m with you “Old Git”. Well done Brian.
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your never to old if u can do it well done i cant see many young ones wanting a cleaning job and doing a good job as brian well done brian. good luck
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I see Daniel Kawczynski has bought his novelty hat.
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i blame the EU
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I blame Tory Boy :-)
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Its every ones fault who do not live in the uk , also long term benefit claiments, gordon brown , tax credits, pension creidts, and i think we can tag a little blame to maggie thatcher as well hey ho we live in the uk .I am surprised no one has asked is the poor chap from the EU many brits are paranoid you know. Oh and it may also have something to do with not winning the world cup for years.
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