NEWS & EVENTS

The news that the average award for an age discrimination claim has risen by nearly £20,000 in the last year highlights how employers should not ignore the issues.

Phil Cookson of Roythornes solicitors was commenting on the figures just released by the Tribunal Service that showed the average award in Age Discrimination matters was £30,289 – nearly three times the amount the year before.

Phil said that the figure, which was the highest for all discrimination claims showed just how important it is for businesses to make sure they are not discriminating on the grounds of age.

"It's a high figure which could have a massive impact on any business and goes to show the consequences of getting things wrong.   It coincides with a rise in the number of age discrimination claims accepted by employment tribunals, which rose by almost a third over the same period to become the most frequent type of claim."

"Making sure you do not discriminate on the grounds of age has always been important, but this level of award shows just how critical it is to check your policies and procedures to make sure they are in order and how expensive it could be not to do so."

Roythornes are holding a free seminar on Age Discrimination on 29^th September.  Places can be booked by contacting Mark Dodds on 01775 842596, markdodds@roythornes.co.uk.