Challenging ageism in the recruitment industry

According to Government research, nine out of ten older workers know only too well that employers generally discriminate against them. The evidence suggests that age discrimination is widespread - and costly too. It is estimated to cost the UK economy between 16 - 31 billion every year.

Sixty-year old John Cook has had to cope with redundancy four times and can talk first hand about age prejudice in the technology industry. Following an interview with a large IT consultancy, he was told that he had all the right background knowledge and experience, but was outside their 'age range'. Eventually, determined not to be defeated, John set up his own IT consultancy to address the skills shortage in the IT trade sector.

But the climate is changing. The Age Positive campaign works to raise awareness amongst employers of the business case for a mixed age workforce. Integral to the campaign is the voluntary Code of Practice. The Code provides guidance on how to eliminate age discrimination by addressing good practice in recruitment, selection, promotion, training and development, and redundancy and retirement.

Being Age Positive means getting the best person for the job - regardless of age. Can you afford not to take action immediately ?