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SMEs 'need to combat ageism in the workplace'

Published On 30 March 2007 at 14:26:08

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should do more to ensure that they do not discriminate against potential workers on the basis of their age, a new survey says.

According to figures published by the Employers' Forum on Age (EFA), 20 per cent of the UK workforce thinks that age has stopped them getting a job.

Similarly, 63 per cent of workers, including people who work for the country's SMEs, think that laws introduced six months ago have done little to improve the situation.

"It is disappointing to find that so many people are still falling victim to ageism at work," said Sam Mercer, director of the EFA.

"It just goes to show that a change in the law is merely the first step in a long journey towards tackling endemic social prejudices - as we've seen before with gender and race legislation."

Mr Mercer explained that the owners of SMEs needed to be particularly careful not to be ageist when recruiting, saying: "We still regularly spot job adverts that contravene the regulations, asking for 'young professionals', 'recent graduates', 'young talents', and 'mature candidates'."

In conclusion, Mr Mercer pointed out that having a fair recruitment process would have SMEs money in the long term as they would avoid costly tribunal cases.

 

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