Age discrimination

Sarah Nandhra LL.B. (Hons) LL.M.
0113 320 5000
employment@winstonsolicitors.co.uk

Age discrimination at work

Winston Solicitors LLP legal advice on age discrimination - more information:

As discussed on our main age discrimination page, new laws have been introduced providing greater protection for workers who feel they have been discriminated against in the UK because of their age. If you have a query about any problem in this area of law - our dedicated team of solicitors are available to talk to you today.

Regulations

The regulations make it unlawful on the grounds of age to:

• Discriminate directly against anyone – that is, to treat them less favourably than others because of their age – unless objectively justified
• Discriminate indirectly against anyone – that is, to apply a criterion, provision or practice which disadvantages people of a particular age unless it can be objectively justified
• Subject someone to harassment. Harassment is unwanted conduct that violates a person's dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them having regard to all the circumstances including perception of the victim
• Victimize someone because they have made or intend to make a complaint or allegation or have given or intend to give evidence in relation to a complaint of discrimination on the grounds of age
• Discriminate against someone, in certain circumstances, after the working relationship has ended.

Employers could be responsible for the acts of employees who discriminate on grounds of age. This makes it important to train staff about the regulations.

Upper age limits on unfair dismissal and redundancy have been removed.

There is now a national default retirement age of 65, making compulsory retirement below 65 unlawful unless objectively justified.

Employees will have the right to request to work beyond 65 or any other retirement age set by the company. The employer has a duty to consider such requests.

There are limited circumstances when discrimination may be lawful >> read more.

We can also help with advice about compromise agreements.

Read what our clients have recently said about our Employment Service in our client testimonials.

Further information

Speak to our employment team, in confidence on 0113 320 5000.

Or email us directly on: employment@winstonsolicitors.co.uk

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