Age Discrimination

The DTI has, at 10.30am, published the draft Regulations on age discrimination.

The new Regulations:

• ban age discrimination in terms of recruitment, promotion and training;
• ban all retirement ages below 65 - except where objectively justified;
• require employers to inform employees in writing, and at least 6 months in advance, of their intended retirement date. This will allow people to plan for their retirement;
• remove the current upper qualifying age for unfair dismissal and redundancy rights;
• impose a duty for employers to consider an employee's request to continue working beyond retirement; and
• impose a requirement for employers to give written notification to employees at least 6 months in advance of their intended retirement date. This will allow people to plan for their retirement.

The DTI is embarking on a three-month consultation period, seeking comments on the draft Regulations. The new laws will come into force in October 2006.

DTI Age Discrimination Webpage