Employers are at risk of breaking the law by discriminating against employees on the basis of their age. However, research has revealed it is often younger workers who are negatively stereotyped.
New age discrimination laws came into force on October 1st, and employers are being urged not to focus solely on how they affect older employees.
Research has shown that the majority of employers believe that younger workers are more of a safety hazard in the workplace, being more likely to cause workplace accidents.
Over half surveyed (51%) believed that younger workers required more supervision.
These findings suggest that employers could be in breach of age discrimination legislation if prejudices affect their view of an employee’s suitability to carry out tasks.
Such transgressions could land businesses in hot water, according to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas).
"(The) DTI anticipates that there may be 8,000 age discrimination cases brought to UK tribunals in the first year, so employers really can't afford to go sleepwalking into this,” said Susan Clews, Acas regional director for North West.
However in a departure from the traditional view of ageism in the workplace, the research suggests that employers do not see old age as a major factor in physical ability. Most employers, some 63%, are confident that older workers are just as capable of carrying out physical tasks.
Nasar Farooq, safety technical manager at Croner, who carried out the research, said: "Current findings indicate that age is not a detriment of the capacity to do well in a job, as long as the person has the right attitude, capability and competence."
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2006
