Age Discrimination

One of the most important recent developments in employment law was the prohibition of age discrimination in the workplace. Although unlawful for several years now, many employers and employees remain unaware of its application to their working lives. Our lawyers have worked at the forefront of the developing law on age discrimination and have acted on a number of major cases involving the new legislation.

Less favourable treatment on the grounds of age is unlawful direct discrimination, unless it stands up to objective justification. “Indirect” discrimination - treatment which seems neutral at first glance but puts people of a certain age or age group at a substantial disadvantage compared to others, is also unlawful unless it can be objectively justified.

The age discrimination laws not only protect older employees, but younger employees as well. Dismissal because an older worker is perceived to be 'past it', or rejecting a younger applicant on the simple assumption that they lack experience, is no longer permitted. Compensation is unlimited, which means that tribunals can make awards based on the actual loss an individual suffers as a result of discrimination, rather than a token sum.

There is now a retirement notification procedure which must be followed in all cases. All employees are entitled to request to work beyond the age of 65, should they wish to, although employers are not obliged to agree to the request. Mandatory retirement before 65 has to be justified.

For more detailed information, please click on the links below to download our fact sheet "Age Concerns" and other fact sheets on age discrimination (such as benefits, pensions, retirement, redundancy and recruitment & selection).

We are proud to work with TAEN, The Age & Employment Network.

EqualityXpress: Age Discrimination

If you are concerned that treatment you are experiencing may amount to age discrimination in the workplace, all you need to do is fill in our online discrimination enquiry form and respond to some straightforward questions. Our solicitors will then contact you with their opinion. The service is free and 100% confidential.

Please see our terms and conditions.

Contact us today to talk about your Age Discrimination issue with one of our specialist discrimination solicitors

Please call 0800 916 9060 or email enquiries@rjw.co.uk. Our Age Discrimination employment solicitors operate from offices across the country and can offer immediate and accessible representation anywhere in the UK.