The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006
When the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 came into effect on 1 October 2006, it became unlawful for employers to discriminate directly or indirectly on any aspect of employment or benefits, based on actual or apparent age. As an adviser, it is vital you understand the regulations and their impact on your corporate clients. To help you achieve this, we have provided the information you need, to help guide your clients and ensure they comply with the regulations.
Whatever your clients' circumstances, these complex regulations may affect many aspects of their businesses, so you should recommend that they seek legal advice. Throughout, it is important that you, your clients and their employment lawyers stay in close contact, ensuring all parties agree to any changes. Naturally, working alongside your clients will provide you with the perfect opportunity to review their financial arrangements and build lasting professional relationships.
Information on this subject can be found in our Age Discrimination Literature section.
Occupational Health at Work journal April 2009: In the article 'Age, health and work: Should we worry about the impact of health on older workers?' Unum Chief Medical Officer Mike O’Donnell discusses how older workers are at risk of discrimination in employment and are subject to frequently unfounded beliefs about the impact of health on work. Occupational Health at Work is published by the At Work Partnership.
We have also included links to external sources of information regarding the regulations:
Office of Public Sector Information – The Regulations
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/pdf/uksi_20080573_en.pdf
The Department of Trade and Industry – Age Legislation – An Overview
http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file29239.pdf
Acas – Guidance for Employers
http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1841
The Department of Trade and Industry - The impact of Age Regulations on pension schemes
http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file29247.pdf