Lidl has become the first company in Ireland to remove the mandatory retirement age for its staff.
All workers can now stay on with the supermarket giant past the age of 65 if they want to.
It comes after Taoiseach Micheal Martin announced major changes to the state pension system, allowing employees more flexibility with retirement and to allow them to work until they are 70.
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Lidl has said that this decision will attract more mature and life-experience talent as well as offer flexibility to current employees.
The retailer said they are also committed to supporting people through workshops by working with the Retirement Council of Ireland and LaterLife.
Carl O’Connor, a Lidl Customer Assistant in Youghal, Co Cork, said he does not need to worry as he can now work as long as he can, Cork Beo reports.
“I joined Lidl in 2000 when Lidl first launched in Ireland and have worked with the company for twenty-two years. The announcement of Lidl’s retirement policy, for me, is fantastic to see.
"I have worked all of my life and I am fit and healthy and want to continue as long as I can. It’s great that the opportunity is there to work on. I was nervous when I was coming to the time of retirement, but I was reassured that there was no need to worry. It has been seamless with no changes to the way I work," he said.
Carl said that he was worried that he was not able to work past the current retirement age, but now is delighted that he can plan ahead much longer into the future.
"Not being able to work past the current retirement age was of huge concern. I am delighted that I can plan ahead much longer into the future. Lidl does so much for people who work here; the changes have been amazing over the years,
"I will continue to work away at Lidl as long as I’m allowed to, or my body allows me to. It’s great to be able to continue the work that I enjoy and to have a purpose for the day. I enjoy going home after a day’s work and the fact that I could be sitting in the garden doesn’t even cross my mind. I will have plenty of time for that.
Maeve McCleane, Chief People Officer at Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, said : “ As one of the largest workforces in the country, we are aware of the broad scope of employees and age groups that work at Lidl, and we want to support those who would like to choose to continue working with us and are not limited by the mandatory retirement age,
"At Lidl, we are really proud to continue to introduce people-centric policy updates that recognise the needs of our employees that are constantly evolving all the time as they progress through different stages of their lives and unlock a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered.”
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