TUC calls for end to age discrimination

The government and employers must tackle age discrimination and provide more training and support to older workers to ensure they do not end up on benefits and put more pressure on pensions.

That was the message from a Trades Union Congress report this week, which said more than one million 50- to 65-year-olds who wanted employment were not able to work because of employer attitudes and inadequate support.

Government plans to increase the state pension age, in response to the costs of supporting an ageing population, would only push more older people on to benefits, without remedial action.

It said employers should negotiate age management policies with unions, to identify older workers’ training and support needs, while the government should extend the rights to request flexible working and to paid time off for training to over-50s.

Meanwhile, a government-commissioned report last week found social care employers were in a better position than others to implement age discrimination regulations this October, but many used practices that were potentially discriminatory.

For instance, almost half collected information on age on job applications and passed this on to shortlisters and interviewers.

Ready, Willing and Able
Managing the Ageing Workforce in Health and Social Care