Leading UK employers urge British business to take 'action on age'
13 August 1997
The Employer's Forum on Age (EFA) today, Thursday 13 August, broadly welcomes the new DfEE report Action on Age, and urges other UK employers to take action to combat age discrimination in the workplace. The EFA is a network of around 100 leading UK employers that change age discrimination and promote good practice.
Ruth Jarratt, Director of the EFA, comments:
'Action on Age sends a clear signal to employers that age discrimination must be tackled – for the sake of the individual, business and society at large. The report gives employers the key role in changing attitudes to age in the workplace and we would urge all employers to join in what is rapidly becoming the pressing employment issues of our times. However, we will continue to press the Government for reform of the outdated policies and practices that currently inhibit organisations from tapping in to the hidden potential of the mixed age workforce.'
The EFA particularly welcomes two moves by the Government, essential in creating the right climate for reform of attitudes to age:
- A commitment to lead by example
- A commitment to a coherent strategy across all government departments
However, the EFA will continue to campaign for further reform in two areas where Government action could make a real difference to employers.
- Reform of the Inland Revenue rules on pensions to allow gradual retirement. In December 1997 the EFA called upon the Inland Revenue to change current rules that act as a barrier to gradual retirement. The revenue responded with proposals that the EFA employers considered too complex and expensive to implement. The EFA urges the Revenue to simplify their proposals and awaits the Government's response.
- An effective Code of Good Practice for employers.
The new Code of Good Practice will be launched later this year and the EFA has been closely involved in its development with DfEE. Over the next 6 months the EFA will continue to campaign to ensure that the Code is an effective tool and model for employers, and that it meets our three central criteria:
- That it is practical and effective
- That it has clear guidelines form implementation
That it includes a process of evaluation to monitor whether employers are following the code.
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