A recent study from Axa has found that 40% of small businesses are unaware of the new legislation concerning age discrimination, and of those that are aware, 44% have still not prepared themselves.
Experts, including law firms, insurers and business lobby groups have predicted costly and time-consuming consequences for those firms who are unaware of the laws, which are due to come into effect in October.
One of the main changes will be that a person over retirement age will be allowed to take a case of unfair dismissal to an employment tribunal, which is not possible under the current rules.
Our view
As with most things, employers are creaking under raft and after raft of new legislation. It is amazing that they find time to trade, let alone employ people!