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Human Resources

Age Discrimination

From 1 October 2006 the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations make it unlawful to discriminate against workers, employees, job seekers and trainers because of their age.  These regulations apply to all employers, regardless of size or sector, so it’s vital to ensure you’re up-to-date.

Quick checklist

Make sure the following have been reviewed to protect your business and your employees against age discrimination:

• Recruitment policy and materials
• Promotion of training and development opportunities
• Performance management systems and appraisals
• Reward and benefits strategy
• Equality policy
• Retirement policy

The style and channel of communication you use is as important as your message: make sure that you’re not inadvertently discriminating by using imagery or wording that would exclude either older or younger people.  Also, check that you’re offering a choice of communication through printed materials as well as online: some groups of employees will not feel at home with electronic communication.

It’s important that all your line managers understand that these regulations govern their behaviour, so if you haven’t already, you may want to organise training programmes, an FAQ area on your Intranet or regular briefings to bring them up to speed. 

All employees in your business need to understand what their rights are and what action to take if they believe they are being discriminated against.  Publicise basic guidelines for behaviour and a telephone number and email address that employees can use if they have questions or concerns.

More than just compliance

Today’s workforce is more age-diverse than ever before.  As well as avoiding penalties, building flexibility and discrimination awareness into your HR strategies will make you an employer of choice and a more successful business. Understanding and satisfying the different wants and needs of the various generational groups that make up your employee population enables you to retain and encourage key talent and increase productivity in your business.

Download our freely available whitepaper, entitled Maximising human capital assets through generational competence, to better equip yourself to deal with these issues.