Age
The UK population is ageing and the number of people in the UK aged 85 and over is now 1.1 million, (1.9 per cent). This trend is predicted to continue since the proportion of the population aged 65 and over will increase as the large numbers of people born after the Second World War and during the 1960s baby boom become older.The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 protect employees from discrimination against employees of all ages, unless it can be objectively justified (with an exception for a retirement based dismissal when the employee is aged over 65). They cover any treatment that may be considered to be a detriment and offer protection in relation to harassment and victimisation. All Tribunal claims relating to the default retirement age were ‘stayed’ by the President of the Employment Tribunal Service for England and Wales in November 2007 pending the outcome of the ‘Heyday’ challenge. Meanwhile, BERR is currently reviewing the Default retirement age and is due to announce the outcome in October 2011.
- Find out more about the legislation in Great Britain
- Find out more about the legislation in Northern Ireland
Age links
Links to sources of further information related to age