EFA: Ageism still rife in workplace

Although age discrimination became unlawful one year ago today, 16 million people have witnessed ageism practices in the workplace.

The Employers Forum on Age (EFA) has found that 86 per cent of Brits know it is illegal to discriminate on age at the workplace, yet 59 per cent of respondents said they had seen ageism taking place.

This is compared to 61 per cent witnessing the same type of discrimination 12 months ago.

Chief executive of the EFA Sam Mercer claims that employers cannot afford to bury their head in the sand.

On average 200 age discrimination claims are lodged every month with the Employment Tribunal Service, no employer can afford to bury their head in the sand and hope this issue will just go away, he comments.

ClickAJob chief executive Yngve Traberg adds: Companies have to remember we face a skills shortage that is becoming more critical daily.

If their attitude is right, we cannot afford to ignore young people whose enthusiasm could inject a company with new momentum. Nor can we walk away from years of skill and experience, simply because a staff member is in an older age group.

He continues: Attitude, skills and ability are the three most significant hiring criteria and companies that live by them will inevitably beat their competitors.

According to the EFA research, 33 per cent incorrectly believe that age discrimination only affects older workers.