Age discrimination
Author
Discussion

condor

Original Poster:

8,837 posts

275 months

Thursday 18th March 2010
quotequote all
Have any of you been affected by age discrimination?
I'm 50 and (I'm just now) understanding how bad a problem it is.

casbar

1,139 posts

242 months

Thursday 18th March 2010
quotequote all
Yep, 53 this year, It is really bad for it. Sent off an online job app yesterday, and you had to choose your age from a range, so I had to tick a box 50-60, so no chance there then smile This was mandatory as well.

Jasper Gilder

2,166 posts

300 months

Thursday 18th March 2010
quotequote all
It is unlawful to ask peoples age as part of the application process unless it is linked to a genuine occupational requirement.

condor

Original Poster:

8,837 posts

275 months

Thursday 18th March 2010
quotequote all
Jasper Gilder said:
It is unlawful to ask peoples age as part of the application process unless it is linked to a genuine occupational requirement.
It might be unlawful but companies have a way of getting round these things.
I had to fill in an application form that asked for dates of examinations that you'd passed from age 11 onwards.
...rather unsurprisingly I had to put 1976 for the 'O' levels.

singlecoil

35,817 posts

273 months

Thursday 18th March 2010
quotequote all
You lot are youngsters! I've found one way round this problem, start your own business. My customers don't care how old I am, they care about how well I am going to do the work they require, and how much I am going to charge them. In some ways I think my age actually helps when they are considering whether or not to place their business with me.

siscar

6,887 posts

244 months

Thursday 18th March 2010
quotequote all
Jasper Gilder said:
It is unlawful to ask peoples age as part of the application process unless it is linked to a genuine occupational requirement.
No it's unlawful to discriminate without a genuine occupational requirement, but that doesn't mean that you can't ask the age or dob as part of the application - you can, it's best not to, but you can.

Tallbut Buxomly

12,254 posts

243 months

Thursday 18th March 2010
quotequote all
I think its just dumb. Older people imho are better workers so why wouldnt you hire them?
In the case of being asked your age or when you did your school exams etc simply make up a number and when you turn up for interview if they ask tell them you wished to have the same chance as anyone else applying. Worst they can do is not give you the job.

condor

Original Poster:

8,837 posts

275 months

Thursday 18th March 2010
quotequote all
Tallbut Buxomly said:
Worst they can do is not give you the job.
The last job interview I did cost approx £70 (thanks to the taxpayers it was paid for)...but it was very obvious that age was a factor.
JSA is £64.30 a week and that one interview cost more than that. Nowadays large companies have head offices that you have to travel to for interviews ...even if the job you're applying for is down the road.
I've just been turned down for a job where I fill all the criteria, I got sent a rather patronising reject e.mail stating...let me assure you it's not your age.
It was that e.mail that inspired me to post this thread, I was just so cross - I'm 50, I'm not incompetent!

Tallbut Buxomly

12,254 posts

243 months

Thursday 18th March 2010
quotequote all
Its a real pain and i feel for people like you as like you say you arent senile or incompetant my feeling is you would probably be better at the job being applied for than someone younger due to experience. The problem is here in the uk companies really dont have a clue.

condor

Original Poster:

8,837 posts

275 months

Friday 19th March 2010
quotequote all
singlecoil said:
You lot are youngsters! I've found one way round this problem, start your own business. My customers don't care how old I am, they care about how well I am going to do the work they require, and how much I am going to charge them. In some ways I think my age actually helps when they are considering whether or not to place their business with me.
In a couple more months it looks like I'll have to do that as I'm only entitled to the 6 months contributions based JSA. I'm trying to think of a low start-up cost business that I could do.

Engineer1

10,486 posts

236 months

Friday 19th March 2010
quotequote all
Give it a month or two more, speak to your advisor at the job centre as there is the discretionary fund and they will probably have business start up courses that could help access funding.

singlecoil

35,817 posts

273 months

Friday 19th March 2010
quotequote all
condor said:
singlecoil said:
You lot are youngsters! I've found one way round this problem, start your own business. My customers don't care how old I am, they care about how well I am going to do the work they require, and how much I am going to charge them. In some ways I think my age actually helps when they are considering whether or not to place their business with me.
In a couple more months it looks like I'll have to do that as I'm only entitled to the 6 months contributions based JSA. I'm trying to think of a low start-up cost business that I could do.
I'm looking for a partner, but Aylesbury might be a bit much for a daily commute.

condor

Original Poster:

8,837 posts

275 months

Friday 19th March 2010
quotequote all
I'm just North of Bedford and Aylesbury would be a pain in the backside to get to on a daily basis.