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Employers urged to heed new anti-ageist Code to avert legal backlash 22 January 2001 The decision by European Union (EU) governments to outlaw age discrimination in employment by 2006 could cause mayhem unless employers and trade unions are prepared well in advance, according to Eurolink Age and the UK's Employers' Forum on Age. To avert a backlash of legal cases, Eurolink Age has published today (22 January) a European Code of Practice, Ageing in Employment: A European Code of Good Practice. The Code draws on businesses, trade unions and public sector experiences throughout the EU, including the expertise of leading UK employers Nationwide Building Society, Sainsbury's and Marks & Spencer. The decision to introduce European legislation comes as employers strive to tackle skills shortages at a time when fewer young people are entering the job markets and high numbers of people aged 50 and over are excluded from the workforce. Like the UK's own Code of Practice on Age Diversity, the European code will assist employers, trade unions and governments across Europe to eliminate discrimination in the workplace well ahead of legislation. Creating clear guidance for employers now will head off a massive rise in grievances claims and employment tribunals in the future. Eurolink Age President Marja Pijl, says: 'We face a paradox. Employers and governments recognise the need for a labour market shift to reflect the ageing of the population, but are slow to take action. Between the ages of 55 and 64, only 36.3 per cent of the EU's men and women are still in work. Too many of the remaining 63.7 per cent have been forced out of the work place against their wishes, and yet, the proportion of unfilled vacancies across the EU is increasing.' Sam Mercer, campaign director for the Employers' Forum on Age, says: 'As the population ages, the problem of low participation among older workers and age discrimination throughout the EU becomes increasingly critical. It is essential employers consider the implications for their businesses and learn from each other. The recent recognition by Government and others of the evident weakness of the race and gender legislation demands any future age law be more effectively supported through raised awareness and employer guidance.' Professor Alan Walker of the University of Sheffield, who jointly led the development of the guidelines, added: 'These good practice guidelines are based on consultations with employers, trade unions and others in eight EU countries. They build on existing best practice in those countries, and suggest practical steps for employers to ensure an efficient, adaptable and age diverse workforce. We believe that employers across Europe will find them helpful and we have sent them to top employers' representatives at EU and national level.' Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern England, says: 'Older people's skills and experience are going to waste because many employers discriminate against them. This discrimination already costs older people dear in lost income and opportunities for personal development. Very shortly employers could also pay dearly in tribunal costs unless they urgently take note of this forthcoming legislation and change their ageist and out-dated employment practices now.' Designed to help organisations adjust to the ageing of their workforces and to avoid the unnecessary exclusion of workers as they age, the Code includes practical pointers on training, flexible working, maximising employees' good health and capacity to work, recruitment, promotion and internal job changes, retirement and tackling stereotyping. Following an EU directive agreed last October; discrimination at work on the grounds of age will be illegal by 2006. The launch of the Code coincides with a major European conference on diversity in employment being held in Sweden from 22 - 24 January, under the EU Presidency; and with the House of Common's employment sub-committee inquiry into age discrimination in employment. back to the archive |
