How Do the New Age Discrimination Regulations Affect My Business?
From the 1st October 2006, the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations have made it unlawful to discriminate against workers, employees, job seekers and trainees because of their age, and will have a significant effect on employment practices, particularly on the way employees are recruited. • An advertisement for a post will have to be worded carefully, so as not to imply age discrimination (this would include requiring a number of years’ experience). • Application Forms should not require any age-related information. The payment of benefits for long service may also be discriminatory. How retirement is dealt with will also have an effect on a business. There is however a default retirement age of 65, so an employee can be retired at 65 and this will be a fair reason for dismissal. However, the employee must be notified of the compulsory retirement date and be informed of their right to request to work beyond that date, between 6 and 12 months before the due date. There is no obligation
