Age Equality
Surveys show that the most commonly cited form of employment discrimination is age bias, and that it can affect workers of all ages. For example, older workers may be unfairly refused training or forced to retire when they wish to continue work. Younger workers may receive lower pay rates and employment benefits, or be denied promotion despite having all the relevant experience and abilities. All workers, regardless of age, should be entitled to unfair dismissal, redundancy and other employment protection rights
In 1999 a Voluntary Code of Practice on tackling ageist practices at work was published by the Government but was ignored by most employers. However, as a result of a European Union Directive, age discrimination in employment and training must be prohibited in the UK by the end of 2006, although substantial exemptions are likely to be permissible
Trade unions and the TUC have campaigned against age discrimination and for effective legislation to tackle it. Many unions have negotiated with employers for changes to agreements on employment benefits and other issues to eliminate age bias. Nevertheless, the issues are complicated. Unions are concerned that age equality legislation should not be used as an opportunity by employers to 'level-down' existing redundancy or other rights for older workers. And current pension ages and benefits must be protected, whilst still allowing workers genuine choice and flexibility on retirement.
The most recent documents available on this subject are:
Legal advice on default retirement ages is ‘hugely disappointing' for employees, says TUC
Responding to today's advice from the Advocate-General, a senior legal advisor to the European Court of Justice, backing default retirement ages in the UK, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
23 September 2008
TUC publishes an ‘equalities sat nav' for unions
The TUC has researched and published a comprehensive review of trade unions' equality structures and activities. The review is the eighth survey of equality in trade unions conducted by SERTUC, which is the TUC region responsible for London, the South East and the East of England. The book, entitled ‘Treading Water', will be launched at a reception to be held 14 May, in central London.
12 May 2008
Ageism is last 'respectable' prejudice - but must be overcome
The abuse that Ming Campbell suffered because of his age “would not have been tolerated on the grounds of gender, race, sexuality or disability” and ageism is the most common form of unfair discrimination at work, TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, will say today (Wednesday) in a call for employers to fully use older workers and the Government to give older workers more choice about how and when they retire.
21 November 2007
Employer–Rep seminars; Mainstreaming in Action
This seminar is aimed at trade union reps who want to take forward equality issues in their workforce.
18 May 2007
Managing age: A guide to good employment practice
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the TUC have produced this guide, with funding from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), to help employers and trade unions understand how to develop good practice to meet the requirements of the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006, which were introduced in October 2006.
27 February 2007
Busting the myths about the new age regulations
With new laws coming into force this Sunday banning ageism in the workplace, the TUC has produced a ten-point online myth-buster in an attempt to debunk some of the myths surrounding the new age regulations.
28 September 2006
| Older documents - 4 |  |
Back to Equality.