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AGE IS MORE THAN JUST A STATE OF MIND
January 2006
Employers wanting to recruit “bright young things” to their workforce are being warned about new anti-ageist laws which come into force later this year.
Job adverts for “energetic young staff” will be banned under the Employment Equality (AGE) Regulations which are due to come into force in October 2006, say employment specialists at Haworth & Nuttall.
Under the new laws it will become unlawful to refuse someone a job, promotion, training or benefits because of their age. Employers’ requests for staff of a particular age will be unlawful unless they can prove age is a “genuine occupational requirement” of the position being advertised.
The Republic of Ireland has already introduced similar legislation which has led to a court ruling that Ryanair’s advertisement for a “young, dynamic professional” was unlawful.
David McCraith, employment partner at Haworth & Nuttall, said: “This new law will impact on every business in many different ways and will be one of the most significant pieces of legislation introduced in 2006.
“Employers tend to be much more ageist than they are racist or sexist and they do not necessarily accept that it is a bad thing. But from October employers will need to ensure that age discrimination is treated in the same way as other equality issues.
“We are urging human resources departments and SMEs to take time to audit their employment policies and to review pension schemes, retirement policies and healthcare arrangements as part of their overall planning and strategy.”
Haworth & Nuttall provides advice on a wide range of subjects in both corporate and private sectors including commercial litigation, commercial property and corporate issues, domestic conveyancing, family law, personal injury, wills and probate and employment law.