Ageism an issue for small businesses

The Employers Forum on Age has warned that small firms could face £73bn in legal claims if they do not take stock of the European Directive on age discrimination, which rules that measures to combat age discrimination must be in force in the UK by 2006.

The EFA is suggesting that directors of small businesses will need to implement major policy changes if they are to avoid huge discrimination claims. 14% of workers felt that they had been the victims of ageism, and if all of those affected were to raise claims, it could cost firms £193m in the first year.

The news comes after a 67 year old man successfully brought his employers to tribunal when they failed to make redundancy payments in line with the payments made to other employees.

The tribunal, which could set a precedent for future cases, found that older employees were discriminated against by not being offered the same payments as younger employees.