What are the age discrimination laws?
Passed in October 2006, the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations are aimed at preventing age discrimination in the workplace. The key message is that employers should focus on the employees relevant skills plus their performance in the role and their actual capability, rather than simply their age. And not only do the Age Regulations prohibit discrimination on the grounds of age, they also cover perceived or apparent age as well. So, for example, teasing someone because they look older or younger than their actual age is unlawful too. Harassment may be unintentional but it is the actual effect on the individual that matters rather than the intention of the perpetrator. The key test is whether the behaviour is unwanted. As a result, harassment can include a general culture in which ageist jokes, such as rude comments on birthday cards, are permitted, or where individuals are subject to harassment from third parties such as customers or suppliers. If ageist jokes are allowed to be passe
