Newsround
Small businesses in the dark about Age Laws
3 July 2006

The Employers' Forum on Age (EFA) and British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) have found that SMEs have very little knowledge about the forthcoming age discrimination legislation, with less than a quarter aware of the new regulations.

With only 90 days to go before age laws come into force, the results of the survey make sobering reading:
  • Whilst 63% of employers know that new employment laws are coming into force in October, less than one in four knew that these included age discrimination regulations
  • Only 18% of businesses feel that the Government has provided adequate and timely guidance to help small businesses digest the impact of new employment regulations on their businesses
  • Just 35% knew that the default retirement age would be 65 but a majority 65% knew that employees can request to work beyond the age of 65
  • Despite the Government's assertion that it had sent information packs about new employment regulations to every organisation in the UK only 5% had seen them
BCC director general, David Frost said:

"It is not a surprise that small employers are struggling to keep on top of the new laws which they are expected to comply with. Since 1998 British business has been hit by a £50.3bn red tape burden - around a third of which is employment-related."

"Clearly these findings are of deep concern. Small businesses can't afford to ignore these laws, people of all ages will be protected and this could lead to a huge increase in discrimination claims. We have worked with the BCC to produce a factsheet to guide small businesses through their new legal responsibilities and give employers the exact information they need."

ENDS

For further information please contact Lizzie Barrett or Sarah Williams at CHA on 020 7622 8252 and out of office hours on 07801 812 624.

Notes to Editors

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