EMPLOYMENT relations organisation Acas has issued guidelines to help employers understand age discrimination legislation and to avoid falling foul of the law.
The guidelines come with a stark warning: companies need to act now to beat the deadline for the Equality Age Regulations 2006 legislation, which comes into force in October.
Acas chairwoman Rita Donaghy said: “A lot of organisations are under the impression the regulations will not affect them, but that is not true.
“Age discrimination can affect employees of any age, not just the young and old.
“The legislation comes into effect in October and recent research from the Department of Trade and Industry shows about 80% of UK organisations are not training or informing their staff about it.”
The guidelines include information on training, equal opportunities, recruitment, promotion, performance appraisals and redundancy.
Donaghy added: “The guidelines will help employers to recognise that being age positive is a business advantage, not just a legal requirement.”
Copies of the guidelines can be downloaded free from Acas.org.uk, or call the publications orderline on 08702 429090.