29/09/2006
Age Discrimination - the new rules
1st OCTOBER HAS ARRIVED – KNOW YOUR NEW EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS
Lisa Guscott, Solicitor at Watkins & Gunn gives some guidance to workers, employees and job seekers on the new age discrimination law.There is already legislation in place to protect people against discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability, gender reassignment, sexual orientation and religion or belief. Now, there is further legislation in respect of discrimination on the grounds of age. From 1st October 2006 the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations make it unlawful to discriminate against workers, employees, job seekers and trainees because of their age.
It will be unlawful on the grounds of age to:-
· Decide not to employ you
· Dismiss you
· Refuse to provide you with training
· Deny you promotion
· Give you adverse terms and conditions
· Retire you before your usual retirement age or before the retirement age of 65
In addition, the following will apply:-
Age limits
The upper age limits on unfair dismissal and redundancy will be removed. Employees will have the right to request to work beyond 65.
Promotion and Training
Opportunities for promotion and training should be made known to all employees regardless of age on a fair and equal basis.
Redundancy Selection
Selection processes for redundancies should be free from age discrimination. Therefore practices such as ‘first in last out’ and the method of using length of service are likely to be seen as age discriminatory.
Discrimination
It will be unlawful on grounds of age to treat employees less favourably; to disadvantage people of a particular age; subject someone to harassment through intimidation or humiliation; victimise someone complaining about age discrimination; or discriminate against someone beyond their employment.
These guidelines should provide you with a basic understanding of the new regulations, however if you would like to consider them in further detail you can contact the ACAS helpline on 08457 474747.
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