header-logo header-logo

Constructive dismissal

04 November 2010 / Jayne Edwards
Issue: 7440 / Categories: Features , Personal injury , Employment
printer mail-detail

Jayne Edwards examines the effects of an ageing working population

The news that the default retirement age has now been scrapped has been met with varying reactions across UK society, but the opinion of the construction industry has largely been split. While traditionally older workers have not been a feature of the construction industry, they are greatly valued due to their vast experience and skills built up over a number of years.
However, accident rates are high in the industry, as employers are painfully aware of, and construction workers tend to wear out quicker than those in other industries.

Problems

The combined factors of the natural ageing process together with effects of physical work means that there are fewer employees in the industry over 50 as compared to many other industries. Chronic illness is one of the most common reasons for workers retiring early, due often to the physically strenuous work they undertake, which can lead to muscular skeletal disorders such as back or shoulder pain.

Older workers can be slower compared to younger, more

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll