Answer: You're right. The Government has introduced new legislation which means that from 1st October 2006, any discrimination by an employer based on age is unlawful. An employer is anyone who has employees or who contracts with someone to do paid work. The rules make it illegal to treat you less favourably than others because of your age.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that the rules cover people of all ages: old and young.
It also covers people who are self employed, contract workers, those who are applying for jobs and those who have since left work. These rules cover all paid workers except for members of the armed forces. It does not cover unpaid volunteers.
Employers are also prevented from harassing and victimising you on the grounds of age.
Employers are also responsible for the actions of their other employees, for example if a colleague is making your life difficult because of your age.
The national retirement age will also be increased to 65, although you can ask to work beyond that age and your employer has a duty to consider it.
The age discrimination rules will mean that job adverts asking for "young dynamic staff" are likely to discriminate against older job applicants. At the same time, denying promotion to a member of staff within a company solely because of their age, rather than the skills or knowledge of the employee, will become unlawful.
Some pay and benefit schemes offered by employers depend on the length of time that you have been working for an employer. Under the new rules, if the pay and benefits are based on a period of less than 5 years, then this will continue to be legal. If it is based on a period longer than 5 years, then the employer must show special reasons or an advantage to the company for awarding extra pay and benefits.
The rules do not come into force until October. Employers should however be preparing for the changes now.
This article is intended as a guide only. Please do not rely on this guide for advice in your personal situation. If you have any specific concerns or questions about how the rules could help you, then the Citizens' Advice Bureau may be able to help.
The CAB service is a network of independent charities that helps people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing advice and information and influencing policymakers. The advice provided by the CAB is free, independent, confidential and impartial and open to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
Sudbury and District Citizens' Advice Bureau, Belle Vue, Newton Road, Sudbury CO10 2RG, telephone 01787 374671, fax: 01787 881564, email: contact@sudburycab.org.uk.
Further information on other debt, welfare and consumer issues can be found on www.adviceguide.org.uk.
