Employment Equality (Age) Regulations

The Age Discrimination Regulations (effective from Oct 1st, 2006) will remove age-related criteria in all aspects of employment practice. The regulations extend to OH policies and practice and OH should not make decisions or assumptions based solely on an individual’s age.

This means making sure you have policies that are "objectively justified" based on either empirical evidence based assumptions or are required by statute. For example, selective screening or surveillance programmes may be objectively indicated either though regulations (civil aviation, driving standards) or relating to risk assessment (e.g. HAVS screening).

Research has shown that there are many myths and stereotypes about the older worker and health status. Age is not a criterion for judging abilities and fitness. In general, older workers are very different from each other and organisations will benefit from efforts to maintain the ability to work of all workers, no matter what age.