Age regulations

The DTI has published its final consultation document on the regulations that will outlaw age discrimination. There are unlikely to be significant changes to the proposals.

The regulations will come into force in October 2006, leaving little time for schools to make the changes needed.

The new regulations will affect all aspects of recruitment, behaviour at work and promotion. They will also create an obligation to consider a request to work beyond retirement age. Compulsory retirement will become dismissal and potentially unfair.

Schools are advised to begin to check their policies and procedures in the light of the consultation in readiness for the new regulations coming into force. The consultation can be found at www.dti.gov.uk/er/equality/age

By Bob Carstairs, Assistant General Secretary