Sharp rise in number of age discrimination claims in the workplace

News Article - 06 July 2011
Category: Regulatory

Figures published by the Tribunal Service in its Annual Statistics for 2010/11 highlight a 'dramatic' increase in the number of age discrimination claims lodged from the workplace.

From 31^st March 2010-11, 6,800 age discrimination claims were filed - a 31 per cent increase on the previous year and a 79 per cent increase on 2008/09.

The Age and Employment Network (TAEN) has expressed concern over the increase.

Chris Ball, chief executive of TAEN, said: "These figures show a dramatic rise in the number of age discrimination claims in the past two years and emphasise the importance of employers becoming more age-aware.

"Against a backdrop of a number of high-profile ageism cases, the ending of default retirement age and rising levels of redundancy and unemployment, many more people believe that they are being discriminated against."

Mr Ball insists that while many claims that reach tribunal will be unsuccessful, it underlines a genuine shift of dissatisfaction amongst senior employees.

"These figures relate only to claims and the majority will not succeed in tribunal, but the sheer numbers suggest they can't be all wrong. With further job losses expected in the public sector and the lingering ideas that older workers are a burden, we would not be surprised to see these figures continue to rise," he added.

The tribunal system as it stands is also a bone of contention amongst the majority of employers who feel the system is currently weighted heavily in favour of employees, according to a survey from international law firm Pinsent Masons.

Just three per cent of employers are satisfied with the system, with 97 per cent of business also insistent that the system in its current format is weighted heavily in the claimants' favour.

Maintaining and improving morale amongst the workforce is therefore more important than ever. Many businesses are beginning to adopt an integrated HR solution that empowers organisations to support every aspect of the employee life cycle. HR software is an excellent way of streamlining communication across areas of administration, personal development, recruitment and more.

Article keywords: Age discrimination, default retirement age, Tribunal Service, The Age and Employment Network, TAEN, Chris Ball, Pinsent Masons, integrated HR solution, employee life cycle

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