Age Discrimination – Employers Beware!

Posted 14/01/2009

In force since October 2006, the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 continue to be a minefield for employers. Hywel Griffiths offers some practical advice on the areas particularly affected:

RETIREMENT
It remains lawful to require employees to retire at the age of 65. However employers must follow correct procedures. Otherwise, they will run the risk that any dismissal will be automatically unfair and unlawfully discriminatory.

Employers must give employees at least six months (and not more than one year’s) notice of their proposed retirement date, and must also advise employees when they give them notice of the retirement date or their right to apply to defer retirement.

Two important points to note:-