In an extensive survey, Digby Morgan has questioned a wide range of HR specialists concerning their preparedness for, and understanding of, the new age discrimination legislation that became law on October 1st. From that date, it has become illegal to directly, or indirectly, discriminate on the basis of age.

Reassuringly, 78% of the respondents were both aware of, and considered that they were prepared for, the imminent introduction of the new legislation. However, it is interesting to note that despite this awareness, 60% didn’t believe that the Government had done enough to fully explain the implications of the changes to UK businesses.

Despite high levels of overall awareness and an appreciation of just how significant the changes could – and, according to the letter of the law, should - be, the HR industry remains sceptical of just how much will, in reality, change. In fact, a staggering 94% of those HR professionals questioned believe that the new laws will have little or no impact on their company’s day-to-day business!

Leading up to the introduction of the new legislation, and when it comes to the actual practical recruitment of staff over 50, 33% of those surveyed said that their business had never hired someone over the age of 50 and only 35% believed that they had hired someone in this age bracket in the last six months.

Commenting on these findings, Digby Morgan Director, Alistair Cook, said: “Its gratifying to see that, although a huge percentage of the respondents don’t think much will actually change in practice, they are pretty well informed.

“Looking ahead, and on a more pragmatic note”, Cook continued, “if legislation doesn’t completely encourage change, what will eventually force the issue is the fact that with over 40% of the UK’s workforce expected to be over 45 by the end of the decade, employers won’t have a lot of choice in the matter. They will have to proactively implement programmes to tap into the older market and those companies with foresight use this legislation and its implications to start this process sooner rather than later will be the long term winners”.

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