Lidl Ireland is set to become the first company in Ireland to announce the removal of the mandatory retirement age clause for current and prospective employees. Continuing to be a diverse and inclusive employer, Lidl Ireland is giving all employees the option to continue their service beyond the current retirement age of sixty-five years old effective in the coming weeks.
Lidl currently offers a top of the range pension programme to all employees, and those who choose to continue their service can opt to extend their pension plan on an individual basis. The decision will also allow the retailer to attract more mature and life-experienced talent as well as offering more flexibility to current employees.
Not only will Lidl become the first company to announce the official removal of the retirement age, Lidl is also committed to supporting employees through workshops across the island of Ireland working with the Retirement Council of Ireland and LaterLife. The courses and workshops provided offer Lidl employees a holistic approach to retirement planning encouraging employees to think seriously about all aspects of their retirement.
The announcement comes as Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced that major changes to the state pension system are on the way, which would allow employees more flexibility with regards to retirement and incentivising workers to continue to work until seventy years of age.
Speaking about the announcement and Lidl’s new upcoming policy change, 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 and 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.”
Lidl’s plans to remove the mandatory retirement age is part of its industry-leading benefits package designed with inclusivity in mind including dedicated menopause support resources for employees and line managers, paid time off for employees affected by early pregnancy loss or miscarriage, fertility leave, maternity leave, adoptive leave, paternity leave, parental leave, fostering leave and carers’ leave. The new package is designed to support and develop employees, ensuring that they can achieve their potential whilst balancing the demands of taking time out of work to care for their families.
Carl O’Connor, Lidl Customer Assistant, Lidl Youghal, commented: “I joined Lidl in 2000, when Lidl first launched in Ireland, and have worked with the company for twenty-two years. 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. The announcement of the Lidl’s retirement policy is fantastic. 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 now 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.
Lidl does so much for people that work here and the changes over the years really have been amazing. My plans for the future? I will continue to work away at Lidl as long as I’m allowed to, or my body allows me to. And it’s great to be able to continue the work that I enjoy and to have a purpose to 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 time for that.”
Also speaking about the announcement and experience working as a Lidl Customer Assistant and Till Responsible People (TRP), Lidl Ennis, Bernadette Gilligan, said: “I’ve been working with Lidl for almost 20 years. I’ve worked with so many people across different nationalities and managers, who have been very approachable and understanding over the years. I’m sixty-five in April next year and am so pleased that Lidl have made this announcement on retirement. Not everyone wants to retire at sixty-five, and if you’re in good health, continuing to work keeps your mind ticking and working. I think it’s important that we have the choice to continue to work and it’s brilliant that we’re getting that option.
Other companies will say you’re sixty-five, goodbye, but at Lidl you’re not a number on a clocking machine, it shows that the company has your interests at heart. The best part about working for Lidl, is that the craic is mighty! I work with a great team, and we get on so well and the customers can really see that. And we’ve established great relationships with our local customers here in Ennis. The social element is fantastic too, as there are opportunities to meet other people from other stores on work nights out.”
Lidl Ireland has been recognised for its industry leading employee benefits packages, with the company recently named Top Employer for 2022 by the Top Employer’s Association for a second year in a row. The esteemed international, sought-after certification showcases an organisation’s dedication to a better world of work, exhibited through excellent HR policies and people practices. Additionally, Lidl is delighted to be named the Most Reputable Retailer in Ireland in the 2022 Ireland RepTrak® Study.
