The Guardian has reported that Tribunal claims for age discrimination within the workplace have increased significantly since the Covid 19 lockdown. It is reported that by May 2021, cases for age discrimination in England and Wales had risen by 30% over the previous year. Read on to find out how we can help if you are suffering from age discrimination at work.
Workplace Age Discrimination
Under The Equality Act 2010 age is a protected characteristic. This means that it is prohibited to subject workers and employees to discrimination on the grounds of age. Age discrimination encompasses direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimisation.
- Direct discrimination is when someone is treated less favourably because of a protected characteristic, such as age. For example, if an employee or worker is not given a promotion because they are over 50, but are more competent, experienced, and qualified than the much younger person who is awarded the job.
- Indirect discrimination is where a rule is applied across an organisation, but that rule adversely impacts a particular group of workers or employees. For example, if all employees or workers are required to hold a specialist IT qualification to keep their job but those over 50 have not had access to that.
- Harassment is any unwanted conduct that is related to a protected characteristic such as age, which makes the recipient feel uncomfortable, intimidated, or humiliated. For example, jokes or banter about age.
- Victimisation is retaliation against an employee or worker who complains of discrimination.
If you believe that you have been discriminated against at work and you have been unable to resolve the situation through use of the employer’s internal grievance procedures, you may consider a claim in the Employment Tribunal. You must act quickly because there are very strict time limits for claims of this nature.
Age Discrimination: Client Review
I have recently concluded a claim for Age Discrimination on behalf of a client. Once the claim came to an end, my client was kind enough to leave me the following lovely feedback.
“Thank you for all of your hard work, time, and effort, that you spent on my case. I just wanted to say you have made this ordeal so much easier for me by taking away the stress and worry of it all. …. You have always been there to reassure me…. I cannot thank you enough…. I can finally move forward knowing I did the right thing with all your invaluable help.
Thanks again for everything, Sophie”.
Lincs Law Employment Solicitors Can Help You
If you are having problems with your employer and believe you may be suffering with discrimination on the grounds of age. We always hope the information on our website is helpful, but we are aware that the best assistance is to discuss your problem with a fully qualified age discrimination solicitor. If you would like a free consultation with one of the team at Lincs Law Employment Solicitors, please use the contact form, engage in a web chat, email contactus@lincslaw.com or call us on 01522 440512 and we’ll be happy to help. Alternatively, for more information about bullying and discrimination, please visit our website at https://lincslaw.co.uk/services/employees/workplace-problems/discrimination-bullying-and-harassment/
Sophie Goodwill
Specialist Employment Law Solicitor
Lincs Law Employment Solicitors, Lincoln
Article source – https://amp.theguardian.com/money/2021/May/31/ageism-work-tribunal-claims-saw-covid-lockdown
Tags: Age Discrimination constructive dismissal employment law solicitor Employment Tribunal Discrimination Forced Out of Job sophie goodwill