Age Equality

Age Concern Bristol supports Age Concern England's policy statement that:

'older people should have the opportunity to participate in society including through employment and volunteering and should not have to overcome either implicit or explicit barriers to achieve this. Goods and services should not be restricted either in availability or quality on grounds of age'.

Age Discrimination

This is the most commonly experienced form of discrimination and has two main elements:

• Direct discrimination where people are treated unequally explicitily on grounds of their age and this cannot be justified.

• Indirect discrimination is the use of a provision, or practice that is apparently neutral but places people of a particular age at a disadvantage compared to others, unless this can be justified.

For Example:

• Employment - 890,000 people over the age of 50 who are out of work want a job.
• Financial services - most motor insurers will not quote for new customers over the age of 75.
• Other markets - 49% of people think marketing takes no notice of older people even though older householders spend £126 billion per year.
• Health care - women over 70 are not invited to breast cancer screening in spite of clinical need.
• Social care - people who become disabled over the age of 65 are ineligible to apply for support for mobility and idependent living available for younger peope through Disability Living Allowance and the Independent Living Fund.

 

Age Discrimination Regulations

From October 1st 2006, in most situations you cannot be denied getting a job, training or promotion because of your age.

 

It will be unlawful to retire you before your usual retirement age or to retire you before 65 without objective justification (i.e. not just on grounds of age).

 

It will also be unlawful for you to suffer harassment in your employment because of age or to be victimised because you have complained about discrimination or harassment.

 

The Age Discrimination Regulations do not cover discrimination in the provision of goods and services.

 

If you believe you may have been disciminated against contact Information & Advice.