Debate: Should Mandatory Retirement be Based on Chronological Age or Ability?
Introduction:
In Canada, various laws and company policies require employees to retire at age 65. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and human rights laws prohibit discrimination based on age. However, mandatory retirement at 65 is an exception.
Most people have to retire at this age. While the age of 65 is
seen by most as an age when people want to stop working, some
want to retire earlier while others prefer to keep working.
Retirement certainly has its merits. For example, after
retirement people have more free time to listen to music or
follow other hobbies. But it also has its disadvantages. For
example, after retirement people might miss seeing friends at
work or have too much spare time.
In this exercise, students will debate the benefits and detriments of mandatory retirement. They will discuss whether mandatory retirement is a good policy.
Objectives:
Suggested time: 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours.
Materials:
Photocopies for each student of:
1.Either Fact Situation A or B; and
2.Questions that follow.
Evaluation based upon:
Set up:
Divide the class into two groups and assign each group one of the
two Factual Situations below. Allow each group 10-15 minutes to
discuss their situation in relation to the Questions that follow.
Students from each group will then present two or three arguments
for or against mandatory retirement. After each argument is made,
the other side can make a reply if they wish.
Fact Situation A:
You are 65 this year. After 28 interesting years working at
Canada Post you are looking forward to your retirement. In the
last few years Canada Post has gotten new computer software that
you cannot seem to understand and office departments are moved so
often that you do not know where people are anymore.
You have many activities planned for your retirement including
renovating your house and perhaps volunteering with a
community group in your area. Many of your friends are also
retired and you will be able to spend time with them. You think
that retirement is the best thing because now you will have a
chance to follow up your personal interests such as travelling.
You also think that younger people deserve an opportunity to move
up in the company.
You have also carefully planned for your retirement at 65, so
that you will have enough money. You will receive a Pension from
Canada Post, you are eligible to receive Old Age Security from
the government and you have invested in many RRSPs over the
years.
Fact Situation B:
You are 65 this year. After 28 interesting years working at
Canada Post you realize that you will have to retire this year.
You are a bit unhappy about retiring because you enjoy your work
and feel that you are very competent in your job. In fact, based
on the skill level required for your job, you think it would be
hard to replace you and that you still have a few good years in
you.
You will miss seeing your friends at work and that feeling of a
“job well done” when you finish your assignments. You
wonder if you will be bored or if your spouse/partner will find
it hard to adjust to you being at home all day.
In addition, you need the money that you earn from this job. Even
though you will receive a Pension from Canada Post and you are
eligible for Old Age Security from the government, you do not
think you will have enough money to support yourself in your
current lifestyle.
Questions:
1.What is the purpose of mandatory retirement? Why age 65?
2.If people can retire earlier than age 65, why not after 65?
3.Do you think people should have to retire if they still want to
work? What if they feel that they are still able to work?
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