Pat, St Agnes Guider, with Terrye Teverson Well I have stumbled across a very interesting case while out canvassing in St Agnes. A local lady who has run the Guides in the village for the past 22 years has been told that she cannot continue past her 65th birthday in May.
This means that a new leader has had to be found for the Brownies and Guides but the Rainbow group (5-7 year olds) have no leader and the group is shutting.
This is appalling news. The national Guides Association are saying that the legislation only covers paid workers not volunteers. I think that is cynical manipulation of the wording of the bill by them.
The fact is that Pat (that is the Guider's name) has given her time and efforts free of charge and now they want to say 'you're past it'. How dare a national organisation dedicated to encouraging young people to grow up with good values make that judgement based only on a birth date.
Over the weekend I have been getting the legislation checked with a specialist employment firm to see what they make of this interpretation. The Department of Trade & Industry website clearly states that employed people cannot be discriminated against but is there a loophole here?
I have also heard of another case where a volunteer has been asked to stand down because of her age.
I have just had a phone call to say there is no protection under the new legislation for volunteers. However, certain unpaid office holders such as magistrates are protected.
Do you know of any if you do please get in touch on 07836752647.
This means that a new leader has had to be found for the Brownies and Guides but the Rainbow group (5-7 year olds) have no leader and the group is shutting.
This is appalling news. The national Guides Association are saying that the legislation only covers paid workers not volunteers. I think that is cynical manipulation of the wording of the bill by them.
The fact is that Pat (that is the Guider's name) has given her time and efforts free of charge and now they want to say 'you're past it'. How dare a national organisation dedicated to encouraging young people to grow up with good values make that judgement based only on a birth date.
Over the weekend I have been getting the legislation checked with a specialist employment firm to see what they make of this interpretation. The Department of Trade & Industry website clearly states that employed people cannot be discriminated against but is there a loophole here?
I have also heard of another case where a volunteer has been asked to stand down because of her age.
I have just had a phone call to say there is no protection under the new legislation for volunteers. However, certain unpaid office holders such as magistrates are protected.
Do you know of any if you do please get in touch on 07836752647.
4 comments:
Terrye
I entirely agree. As someone who is not myself in the first flush of youth, it does seem crazy to dispense with someone's services because of some arbitrary age limit.
Bob
An interesting case, and one that deserves to be followed up, I didn't realise the legislation didn't include volunteers.
Robin
As someone who is approaching 65 myself, I have a lot of sympathy with Pat Ely. However, I also have a great deal of respect for the Guide Association, and they have had this rule for a long time. What was their reaction when you spoke to them about this case?
I think this is a disgrace. How can the National Guide Association instill in youngsters a respect for the elder generation when they dismiss volunteers like Pat as 'past it'?
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