Time is running out for employers in the IT and Telecoms industry to get ready for new age discrimination laws - which take effect on 1 October. New figures published by the Age Partnership Group (APG) show the majority of the sector's employers remain unconvinced of the business benefits of the new laws.

IT and Telecoms employers were asked to comment on the expected impact of new legislation, with the main results revealing that:

• Only 36 per cent of employers expect new legislation to improve staff retention
  
• Only 27 per cent of employers expect new legislation to increase choice in the labour market by providing more job applicants of different ages
  
• Only 23 per cent predict that age legislation will lead to "better workers".

The statistics show that, with less than six months to go, age legislation is still perceived as a business burden in the IT and Telecoms industry. To combat this, the Age Partnership Group, as part of its campaign to encourage employers to be ready, has launched new information with details on age legislation and some of the benefits of age diversity practices.

The Employers Forum on Age claims that lack of action could expose employers to 73 billion worth of claims unless they are properly prepared, with a potential cost of 193 million in 2007 alone. Launched this week, the APG's information materials (a Personnel Organiser and CD-Rom) aim to help employers be ready for the new laws by providing full details on new age legislation, Acas guidance, real-life case studies and further help and support.

Ageism is currently the most prevalent form of discrimination in the workplace. The new legislation requires employers to review their employment practices to ensure they are based on skills and competencies, not age.

[This whole thing is of course a trick to once again settle industry with the economic consequences of various governments' failed policies, this time in the pensions area. I can imagine the enthusiasm with which elderly workers will embrace the jobs they are forced to stay in when they feel they have paid enough taxes to be able to sit in Marbella enjoying the sunshine and sangria... --Ed].

Related links: (Open in a new window.)
www.agepositive.gov.uk/agepartnershipgroup

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