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29/09/2006
New age discrimination laws to come into force
New legislation outlawing age discrimination in the workplace are due to come into force on Sunday.
The new laws, in what has been described as the biggest shake-up of workplace legislation for 30 years, will ban employers from specifying that an employee must be above or below a certain age.
The laws will only apply to workers under the statutory retirement age of 65.
However, a survey of 150 organisations by law firm Eversheds, found that two out of five firms feared that they risked breaching the new laws.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, Trade and Industry Secretary Alastair Darling admitted that an initial level of "uncertainty" was inevitable with new legislation being introduced, comparing the situation to when the first discrimination legislation was introduced in the 1970s.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "These new regulations should put an end to the blight of age discrimination which has made job hunting and career development difficult for the many workers who had the misfortune to work for employers with ageist attitudes. From now on, employers will need to prove that job candidates are being recruited on their ability and experience alone, and will have to banish ageist banter from the office and the staff canteen.
"'Any new rules seeking to protect workers of whatever age, be they 16 or 106, were by definition going to be complex. Our age regulation myth-buster aims to help both individuals and their employers understand their new rights and responsibilities under the new law and show how it can be used to rid UK workplaces of the scourge of ageism."
The minimum wage will also increase on the same day that the legislation is introduced. Workers aged over 21 will now be paid £5.35 per hour, while workers aged between 18 - 21 will receive £4.45 and workers aged 16 and 17 will receive £3.30.
The British Chamber of Commerce warned that the government's minimum wage legislation could be viewed as discriminatory and could result in firms being less likely to employ staff under the age of 21.
Meanwhile, the Employers Forum on Age has estimated that half of UK employees are unaware that the new legislation is being brought in.
(KMcA)
The new laws, in what has been described as the biggest shake-up of workplace legislation for 30 years, will ban employers from specifying that an employee must be above or below a certain age.
The laws will only apply to workers under the statutory retirement age of 65.
However, a survey of 150 organisations by law firm Eversheds, found that two out of five firms feared that they risked breaching the new laws.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, Trade and Industry Secretary Alastair Darling admitted that an initial level of "uncertainty" was inevitable with new legislation being introduced, comparing the situation to when the first discrimination legislation was introduced in the 1970s.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "These new regulations should put an end to the blight of age discrimination which has made job hunting and career development difficult for the many workers who had the misfortune to work for employers with ageist attitudes. From now on, employers will need to prove that job candidates are being recruited on their ability and experience alone, and will have to banish ageist banter from the office and the staff canteen.
"'Any new rules seeking to protect workers of whatever age, be they 16 or 106, were by definition going to be complex. Our age regulation myth-buster aims to help both individuals and their employers understand their new rights and responsibilities under the new law and show how it can be used to rid UK workplaces of the scourge of ageism."
The minimum wage will also increase on the same day that the legislation is introduced. Workers aged over 21 will now be paid £5.35 per hour, while workers aged between 18 - 21 will receive £4.45 and workers aged 16 and 17 will receive £3.30.
The British Chamber of Commerce warned that the government's minimum wage legislation could be viewed as discriminatory and could result in firms being less likely to employ staff under the age of 21.
Meanwhile, the Employers Forum on Age has estimated that half of UK employees are unaware that the new legislation is being brought in.
(KMcA)
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28 August 2006
Asda announces plans to scrap birth date queries
Supermarket chain Asda will no longer ask prospective employees to supply their date of birth on application forms, the firm has announced. The supermarket chain said that it would employ staff of all ages - from 16 to over 70 - which goes beyond new age discrimination legislation which will come into force on October 1.
Asda announces plans to scrap birth date queries
Supermarket chain Asda will no longer ask prospective employees to supply their date of birth on application forms, the firm has announced. The supermarket chain said that it would employ staff of all ages - from 16 to over 70 - which goes beyond new age discrimination legislation which will come into force on October 1.
11 November 2005
TUC warn on older workers’ redundancy pay
Older workers could face reduced redundancy payments, when new age discrimination regulations come into force next year, the Trades Union Congress has warned. Employees aged over 41 who lose their jobs currently receive higher statutory redundancy payments than younger workers with the same length of service.
TUC warn on older workers’ redundancy pay
Older workers could face reduced redundancy payments, when new age discrimination regulations come into force next year, the Trades Union Congress has warned. Employees aged over 41 who lose their jobs currently receive higher statutory redundancy payments than younger workers with the same length of service.
11 January 2005
NHS pension proposals anger trade union
The NHS employers group has announced controversial new pensions proposals, incurring the wrath of health service union Unison. The new proposals include increasing the retirement age from 60 to 65.
NHS pension proposals anger trade union
The NHS employers group has announced controversial new pensions proposals, incurring the wrath of health service union Unison. The new proposals include increasing the retirement age from 60 to 65.
01 March 2010
PM's 'Tough' Asbo Moves
Gordon Brown has promised tougher penalties against those who breach ASBOs. A 'guarantee of protection' will also be given to victims as part of a raft of measure aimed at tackling crime, and the fear of crime.
PM's 'Tough' Asbo Moves
Gordon Brown has promised tougher penalties against those who breach ASBOs. A 'guarantee of protection' will also be given to victims as part of a raft of measure aimed at tackling crime, and the fear of crime.
13 October 2004
New NHS staff to face criminal record checks
All eligible new recruits into the NHS must undergo checks on their criminal record under a new measure to increase patient safety announced today. From early next year, Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks will become mandatory for every new recruit with access to patients as part of their normal duties.
New NHS staff to face criminal record checks
All eligible new recruits into the NHS must undergo checks on their criminal record under a new measure to increase patient safety announced today. From early next year, Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks will become mandatory for every new recruit with access to patients as part of their normal duties.
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