Confusion over new Ageism Laws
Despite being one of the most important changes in UK employment law for many years, the new age discrimination legislation which came into force on 1st October 2006 has had remarkably little official publicity.
The new laws – which seem set to make age discrimination as unacceptable as race or sex discrimination – will outlaw age discrimination in employment and vocational training and prevents companies setting a compulsory retirement age below 65. The laws will also have a knock-on effect for companies’ recruitment, training, promotion, redundancy, retirement and pay and pension provision and procedures.
According to two independent surveys by Age Concern and The Employers Forum on Age (EFA) employers and employees either didn’t know the regulations were coming into effect or didn’t understand their full effect.
Employees need to be aware that they can take action against employers who force them to retire before 65, or refuse them promotion or work, simply because of their age. Employers need to be careful that their contracts of employment do not infringe this law and that their recruitment and redundancy policies also comply with this.
For more advise on this subject or any other aspect of employment law, speak to Peter Kirk on 01202 294 411.
