Legal advice on age discrimination in the workplace

Compensation has been paid out in some cases where people have been discriminated against because of their age. The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate against workers, employees, job seekers and trainees because of their age.

Age discrimination

In the UK we are facing dramatic changes in the way the law protects people of a certain age. Today (April 2014), there are 10.8 million people over the age of 65 and this is expected to rise to 16 million over the next 20 years. Many people fitting this age demographic will choose to work rather than spend their time in retirement. The new laws are designed to recognise this and protect people from employment discrimination because of their age.

These regulations apply to all employers (whether in the public or private sector), vocational training providers, trade unions, professional organisations, employer organisations and trustees and managers of occupational pension schemes.

In this context an employer is anyone who has employees or who enters into a contract with a person for them to work. The regulations cover recruitment, terms and conditions, promotions, transfers, dismissals and training. They do not cover the provision of goods and services.

We can also help with advice about settlement agreements.

Learn more about the type of claim you have by choosing one of the areas of law.