Discrimination on the Grounds of Age

Regulations which came into force on 1 October 2006 prohibit discrimination in the following circumstances:-

• Discrimination on the grounds of age

• Victimisation

• Instructing someone to discriminate

• Harassment on the grounds of age

Both direct and indirect discrimination on the grounds of age are now illegal.

These regulations affect all employers in such areas as

• Recruitment processes and Job Advertising

• Job Application forms

• Job Specifications

• Interview procedures

• Employment Contracts

• Retirement Policies

It is unlawful to discriminate against any employee on the grounds of age, for example for opportunities for promotion, training or benefits offered to the employee.

Job Advertisements

Job advertisements must not use words such as “young” “mature” "active” "energetic" or "youthful enthusiasm".

Job Application Forms

Requests for certain information such as dates of birth and dates of qualification must no longer be made from job applicants.

Job Specifications

An employer cannot specify the number of years a driving licence must be held or demand qualifications which could be held only by older or younger people because of the date of those qualifications.

Employment Contracts

Employment Contracts must include a retirement age of 65, unless a lower retirement age can be justified objectively.