They're asking for his age.

[AMG Merc]

Can a prospective employer ask your age? What would they need it for (pension)?

[ShadownINja]

Interesting question. You could refuse on the grounds of age discrimination. Just like an employer would get a kicking if he were to ask, "So, Miss Perkins, are you planning to have children in the near future?"

[FraserLFA]

If you look young they can ask someone's age for insurance purposes. A lot of companies don't have insurance to cover under 18's or under 21's.

[dudleybloke]

i hav.nt seen one application form that doesnt ask for a date of birth.
surely its simple to find out someones age then.

[apguy]

dudleybloke said:

i hav.nt seen one application form that doesnt ask for a date of birth.
surely its simple to find out someones age then.

The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (2006) made it illegal to discriminate on the basis of age - either young or old. Meaning that you cannot ask for a persons age at interview, unless it is absolutely relevant to a particular part of the job (for example, needing to be 21 to train for an HGV class 1 licence).

Requesting DOB could be seen as discrimination if not directly relevant as it also conveys age.

http://www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/r/j/Age_and_the_W...

[AMG Merc]

Thanks all for your comments. I should have said that they're asking him after making a verbal offer so I gusess it's for insurance or ID purposes.

[elster]

I don't see what the issue is with asking someone's age.

It wouldn't take too long to find out someone's date of birth. Especially if they request a form of ID at the interview.

[Firefoot]

A company is supposed to see a birth certificate as part of the employment process to ensure they know who they are employing, so they are going to find out in the end. I have to see one as an employee is automatically added to the pension scheme, and taking a copy of the birth certificate is mandatory as part of the pension scheme application process.

I really dont see any issue with an employer asking this. If you don't disclose it, it isn't too difficult to work out from your education history anyway.