Older workers facing pressure to quit their jobs

Older workers are being warned they could face increasing pressure to give up their jobs over the next six months as their employers race to beat the new age discrimination regulations.

A European directive is due to come into force in October banning discrimination on the grounds of age. 

Sally Laughton, employment specialist at Andersons Solicitors in Nottingham, says the new regulations will make it possible for older people to continue working for longer if they want to do so and it will be illegal for an employer to withhold a job on the grounds of age.

Many firms are already rethinking their policies and Ms Laughton says there’s growing evidence that some are starting to put pressure on employees to retire early so they’re out of the way by the time the new regulations come into force.

“We’re already seeing it in some law firms where older partners are being pressurised into retiring before they want to do so. 

“There’s a similar movement developing in other professions such as accountancy and chartered surveying, and it’s likely that we’ll see examples in all sorts of firms as employers begin to realise the implications of the new regulations.”

But Ms Laughton says that although the regulations aren’t in place yet, the law still offers substantial protection to workers. 

“Anyone who does feel they’re being threatened should seek legal advice as soon as possible.  There are several measures an employee can take to protect themselves.”
 

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