We are seeing a significant increase in age discrimination complaints and age discrimination cases in the Employment Tribunal.

We predict that the number of age discrimination complaints will soar in coming months due to the steep rise in unemployment among over-50s.

One community-based website, for over-50’s, Rest Less cited 284,685 redundancies among the over-50s in 2020 (up 79%) and one million over-50s remain on furlough, stating reference to the quarterly tribunal statistics from the Ministry of Justice issued on 11th March 2021.

From the employment disputes we are dealing with in practice; the Covid-19 pandemic would appear to have unfortunately exacerbated age discrimination in both the workplace and the recruitment process. A concern is also that once made redundant, older workers are more likely to drift into long-term unemployment than their younger counterparts, raising fears about the sustainability of the UK’s recovery.

It could be said that the rise in Employment Tribunal age discrimination cases is linked to the need for many people to keep working until they are 66 to access the safety net of the state pension.

Age discrimination is prevented by the Equality Act 2010; yet it would seem to still widely be seen as a socially acceptable form of prejudice.

From the numerous Employment Tribunal cases and disputes we are seeing; it seems that many employers, despite their mottos being that inclusion and diversity are important to them; do not have strategies to make their workplaces age-inclusive.

If you are an employee in a dispute with your employer; or if you have any concerns and wish to at this stage simply understand your position and have legal advice “behind the scenes” so that you are prepared; should you need to be, we can help you.

At our consultations; we will advise you on your legal position; your options, recommend next steps and answer any specific questions you have. If you feel you are being forced from your employment and/or could face redundancy; we can advise you on your entitlements and if a Settlement Agreement has been mentioned to you; we can advise you on the terms and effect of this.

Farleys specialise in all areas of HR and employment law for all levels of employees.

If you require advice and assistance in relation to age discrimination, disability discrimination, furlough leave, furlough pay, compulsory or voluntary redundancy; re-structures and re-organisations; variation of employment contracts; settlement agreements and termination / severance packages and/or advice and assistance with an Employment Tribunal claim; please contact Farleys Employment Law & HR team on 0845 287 0939, contact us by email or chat to us using the button below.