HR professionals urged to tackle age discrimination now!

A high profile partnership of industry bodies, government departments and employer representatives have launched a new national campaign. The campaign will promote best practice and help employers ìBe Readyî for legislation on age discrimination, scheduled for October 2006. The Age Partnership Group (APG), which is supported by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, is currently mailing over 1.4 million newsletters to employers, outlining best practice information to help them create an age diverse workforce.



Commenting on the campaign, Dianah Worman, Diversity Adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, said:

Employers are experiencing real difficulties recruiting people with the skills and experience they need to achieve their business objectives. Yet many are also making their own lives difficult by passing over the workers with the best mix of skills and experience because they think they are too old or too young. On business grounds alone, people should be hired because of what they offer, not the date on their birth certificate. People who let old habits or prejudice influence their recruitment decisions risk leaving vacancies in their businesses unfilled, or recruiting an identikit workforce that does not reflect the diversity of their customer base or the needs of their business.

The APG is targeting information towards helping small and medium businesses, managers and HR professionals, and outlining some of the benefits to business of employing an age diverse workforce. A free ìPersonnel Organiserî and CD Rom dispelling myths about age, providing top tips, case studies and sources of help, is available to callers from a dedicated orderline.

BBC TV and Radio 4 presenter, John Humphrys, is also supporting the APGís campaign. He stated:

ìEmployers who ignore the wealth of experience shared by older workers are making a big mistake. They should be grabbing it with both hands. Whatís more, with new laws being introduced in 2006 they will have no choice but to adopt age positive practices whether they like it or not. So why wait? Get on the right side of the law and benefit from it at the same time.î

The APG partners in England include: Acas, Association of British Insurers, The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, British Chambers of Commerce, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Chartered Management Institute, Confederation of British Industry, Department of Trade and Industry, Department for Work and Pensions, EEF, the manufacturersí organisation, Employers Forum on Age, Employers Organisation for local government, Federation of Small Businesses, HM Revenue and Customs, Institute of Directors, National Association of Pension Funds, Small Business Service, Society of Personnel Officers in Government Services and Trade Union Congress. Other groups represent the APG Wales and Scotland and further information can be found on the APG website.

Employers can request information direct from the APG by calling a free order line on 0845 715 2000 or emailing apg@isky.co.uk. Further information can be found at