Would age discrimination legislation affect voluntary redundancy packages?
A. Voluntary redundancy packages could be based on length of service, because a redundancy payment is compensation for the loss of a job and it is right that its level should reflect loyalty to the organisation. It does not follow that there is any reason for the level of such payments to be based on the age of the recipient. A payment based on length of service is fairer to the workers who have given greater service and indeed fair to all workers, given that such packages become available when redundancy is voluntary ie: it is mutually agreed between worker and employer. Q. Are there any circumstances under which age discrimination legislation would allow age to be used as a condition for recruitment, selection or promotion? A. UNISON has argued that merit, ability and skills should be the only bases for recruitment, selection or promotion. However, there may be circumstances where considering age may be justifiable: for example, targeted recruitment schemes to tackle under-representa
