According to a report from the Recruitment Confidence Index, employers are not prepared for the new age discrimination law, due to come into force in October 2006.
The survey also found that many employers are not aware of the ageing workforce in the UK, with a diminishing amount of young people to take their place in the industry. 20% of employers said that they had no knowledge of the changes within our population, and 25% claimed that it would have no effect on them at all. Only 35% of the 1500 employers questioned had put age policies into effect, with a further 25% planning to introduce policies over the next 12 months. Over 30% had no plans whatsoever concerning the legislation, which makes it illegal to refuse someone a job, training, promotion or benefits because of their age.
Our view
It is difficult for any small or large business to keep up with the rafts of, albeit sensible, red tape.