Helping businesses stay legal

Oct 31 2007 by Iain Laing, The Journal

LAW firm Muckle is teaming up with Age Concern in the North-East to help businesses avoid the pitfalls of the new anti-discrimination laws.

This follows publication of Tribunals Service figures which show almost a thousand age discrimination claims in the year ended March 2007.

It also comes on top of a recent survey showing two thirds of those over 60 do not believe enough is being done to combat age discrimination, and the launch of a Government Discrimination Law Review to consult on whether more legislation is needed.

Kathleen Bannister from Tynemouth believes that her age was unfairly taken into consideration when she applied for teaching jobs. “I am in no doubt that some employers discriminate on the grounds of age. Not only does this put employers at risk, employers are missing out on recruiting a host of dedicated and skilled people,” she said.

“Fortunately for me I received help from Age Concern’s employment guidance service, Back on Board, and I am now pursuing a writing career. I feel sorry for others who don’t get the advice they need to tackle age barriers.”

Muckle’s employment partner Paul Johnstone said: “Our experience with the laws banning discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation shows that it takes a couple of years before people become aware of their new rights and start taking action against employers to enforce them.

“It is now a year on from the introduction of the law banning discrimination on the grounds of age and already we are starting to see age discrimination claims bolted onto claims for unfair dismissal.

“This is a trend which will accelerate and employers have to be aware of their obligations under the new law, otherwise they could face big discrimination claims.

“They also need to be aware that the law works both ways, and it is also now illegal to discriminate against youth. For instance, any scheme which gives extra holiday entitlement on the basis of number of years worked will have to be looked at again.”