Age Discrimination In The Workplace Outlawed

New laws which came into effect on 1 October 2006 will protect workers of all ages from discrimination in the work place. The Age Discrimination regulations give important new rights and responsibilities to every employee and business in Britain.

Trade and Industry Secretary, Alistair Darling said: "Discrimination against you just because you're older has no place in a modern society. It will be against the law for workers to miss out on recruitment, promotion or training because of prejudice about their age.

"In just 15 years, the over-50s will make up more than a third of the workforce. Ignoring a whole generation makes no sense. The individual loses, the company loses and the economy loses a wealth of talent and experience. What matters is the person, their skills and abilities not their age.

"We are determined to create a world where the best person for the job is just that - the best person. The new laws will help do that."

The regulations (which will not affect the age at which people can claim their state pension) will:
•   End age discrimination in terms of recruitment, promotion and training
•   ban unjustified retirement ages of below 65; and
•   remove the current age limits for unfair dismissal and redundancy rights.

They will also introduce:
•   a right for employees to request working beyond retirement age and a duty on
    employers to consider that request;
•   a new requirement for employers to give at least six months notice to employees
    about their intended retirement date so that individuals can plan better for retirement,
    and be confident that 'retirement' is not being used as cover for unfair dismissal.

John Hutton, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: "We recognise that we have an ageing population, with many older people who want the choice to continue working rather than retiring and who have vast skills and experience to offer the labour market. As announced in the Pensions White Paper, we are working with employers to remove compulsory retirement ages and adopt more flexible approaches.

"As part of the DWP's Age Positive campaign, we are working with a wide range of UK businesses to help them recognise the benefits of older and younger workers and advising them on what adjustments they need to make to their employment practices."

Posted 03/10/06

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