Subjects:

Discrimination Law

Contents:

Introduction

Scope of the Legislation

Discrimination on the grounds of age

Discrimination in employment

Retirement and dismissal

Pay and non-pay benefits

Vocational Training

Pensions

EU Law and discrimination

Liabilities and remedies

Appendices

Regulations

Code of Conduct

Precedents

The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 come into force on 1 October 2006. The aim of the regulations is to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of age, which is the most widespread form of discrimination in the workplace.

For the first time there will be a default retirement age of 65 and employers will not be able to retire employees before that age unless it can be objectively justified. Employers must give employees at least 6 months’ notice of the intended retirement date, and also consider requests from employees to continue working beyond the age of 65. Age discrimination in recruitment, promotion and training will be outlawed and the upper age limit for unfair dismissal claims will be removed.

This practical guide to the new law will explain the regulations in detail and will provide answers to key questions and discuss major issues including:-

• What age discrimination means
• How it affects employers and employees
• Fair dismissal for retirement
• Age discrimination and education
• How the new law affects pensions
• Rights and remedies under the Regulations