Masterclasses - Employment Law
Age Discrimination
Overview
Did you know that the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 come into force on 1 October 2006? Is your organisation prepared?
It has been estimated in some quarters that organisations in Britain are spending £210 million a year on defending employment tribunal claims for discrimination and harassment, and that this figure could rise by a massive 70 per cent to £360 million next year, in large part due to the new age legislation which is due to take effect on 1 October 2006.
It is important to recognise that age discrimination can affect employees at all stages of their lives, whether young, middle-aged, or older. It can also happen throughout the employment relationship – recruitment, pay and benefits, promotion, training, redundancy, retirement, etc.
This year is expected to be the first year that 55-64 year olds will outnumber those who are 16-24 in the UK population. Combine that with the fact that 40% of people who retire early feel they are forced to do so against their will, and you begin to see how the workforce is being squeezed at both ends.
The purpose of this session is to take you through the employment cycle from start to finish, highlighting the issues you may need to think about along the way to ensure you are Age Aware.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session, delegates will have the knowledge to enable them to:
· recognise ageist stereotypes;
· draft adverts, job and person specifications in order to comply with the legislation;
· ensure application processes and interviews are age-proofed;
· review pay and benefits structures with a view to eliminating discriminatory criteria;
· consider promotion, training and development procedures and practices to ensure they are compliant;
· revise redundancy arrangements where necessary;
· put in place the policies and practices to necessary to meet the provisions on retirement;
· carry out recruitment, promotion, redundancy and retirement exercises while staying on the right side of the law.
Who is it for?
The course is suitable for all those with responsibility for:
· reviewing and auditing processes to identify areas where action may need to be taken in order to ensure compliance with the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006, e.g. HR professionals, line mangers, and senior managers;
· reviewing and updating policies, documentation and practices;
· carrying out recruitment, promotion, redundancy and retirement exercises;
· training those responsible for carrying out recruitment, promotion, redundancy and retirement exercises.
The course is designed to appeal to organisations of all sizes, whether in the private or public sectors.
Approach and Duration
The course will cover both legal issues and practical tips and will be delivered by Chris Phillips, a partner with Maclay Murray & Spens LLP.
Comprising two interactive sessions of approximately 45 minutes, and two break-out sessions, the course will run from 9.30am – 12.30pm. The first break-out session will involve review of documentation aimed at spotting potential age hot spots, while the second will involve consideration of at least one case study designed to put the knowledge gained during the morning to practical use, reinforcing learning.
Who will deliver the course?
The course will be delivered by Chris Phillips, a partner specialising in employment law at Maclay Murray & Spens LLP. He acts for a broad range of clients in the private and public sector and for institutions and individuals. He makes regular appearances before the Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal, across the UK. His particular areas of interest include discrimination, business re-organisations and industrial relations. He is a panel solicitor for the Joint Equalities Commissions and a member of both the Employment Lawyers Association and the Scottish Discrimination Lawyers Association. He is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in Employment Law. |
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Cost
£100 + VAT
Block bookings will attract a discount. Please contact us for further information
Date
21 September 2006
Contact
To book a place or for further information, please contact Diane Thomson
t: 01383 559000
f: 01383 559001
e:
masterclasses@theblcc.co.uk
Masterclasses Training Schedule