I have just joined a new organisation and have come across a dilemma.

One of the employees has been with the company for over 15 years and has just past his 70th Birthday. Quite naturally he is slowing down now, but this is having (negative) customer service implications for us.

As he is well past the age of retirement, do I go through the usual retirement procedures in order to ease him out of the business? I feel we can manage him within the business for the next 6 months if needed. I do not want to end up having to fire him, as that would not be a good end to his working life.

Could someone please advise of what to do as I do not want to be cruel (well not today anyway!), but at the same time, I cannot allow this situation to continue indefinitely?

Many thanks in anticipation

Claire