Serial job applicants set to exploit laws on age bias

The UK age discrimination laws hit the headlines again with news that serial job applicants are gearing up to take advantage of new age discrimination laws and hoping to trigger compensation claims.

Commenting on serial job applicants, Esther Smith, employment law specialist at law firm Thomas Eggar said: Since discrimination legislation was introduced in this country we have always had a situation of serial applicants for jobs, seeking to catch out employers. The age discrimination regulations really do widen the scope for this to happen. For most types of discrimination proof is needed to show that applicants originate from a relatively small section of society, such as disabled applicants or those from a different ethnic or religious background, this is not the case with age discrimination..

The obvious difference is that age is all encompassing Under the structure of UK age discrimination legislation this means that every job applicant could potentially bring an age related claim on the basis of being treated less favourably.

Applicants may find it slightly harder to submit duplicate applications using different ages. It would mean changing details as to the dates of schooling, qualification and previous jobs, details still requested on most application forms. However, this will not stop those determined to use this legislation to their financial advantage and the claims look set to come in thick and fast.

If you would like to speak with Esther Smith on the issue of how the recently introduced age discrimination laws affect employers please contact Esther Smith on 0870 160 1300 or visit: