Consultation on draft Age Discrimination Regulations

On 14 July the DTI published the draft Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 and commenced its final consultation on age discrimination. The Age Regulations are likely to have a significant impact on many businesses and will impose further administrative burdens on employers.

The purpose of the Age Regulations is to prohibit discrimination, harassment and victimisation on grounds of age in relation to employment and vocational training. Although many of the principles of the Age Regulations are familiar in legislation dealing with other forms of discrimination, the Age Regulations will be unique in that the possibility of justification will apply equally to direct and indirect discrimination. The discrimination will be justified when it fulfils a legitimate aim and the particular circumstances make it appropriate and necessary.