Pubs warned on issues of ageism
A new equal opportunity law to prevent ageism could mean licensees are forced to cough up thousands of pounds in compensation.
The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 will come into force on 1 October and employers found offering different rates of pay based on age or displaying adverts requesting young or older staff may be prosecuted.
Terms like "junior waitress" or "young, lively team member" will not be allowed and birthday cards that make fun of old age - like "old fart" type cards - should be avoided.
Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations chief executive Tony Payne said: "Licensees will have to be cautious in their advertising. You can't say "fit" person as someone of 50 might not be as fit as a younger person.
"Licensees must also give any employee aged 65 the opportunity to apply to stay on longer."
Payne also warned licensees to be wary of asking certain questions during interviews: "You can't ask specific questions about whether the interviewee has children or plans to have them.
"We've produced a guide for our members to help keep them out of trouble. It will be issued before the regulations kick in."
Springboard - an organisation that promotes careers in hospitality - held an age awareness conference and employment director Richard Smith from Croner Consulting said this was the most significant piece of legislation since the Race Relations Act.
He said: "Employers would need to keep detailed records of each decision they take, to show their practices were beyond reproach."
The Forum of Private Business (FPB) criticised the new legislation.
Chief executive Nick Goulding said: "Small businesses need to take time to audit their employment policies and review pension schemes, retirement policies and healthcare arrangements as part of their overall planning and strategy, so they are prepared well ahead of legal change."
Dave Daly, president of the National Association of Licensed House Managers and licensee of Cahoots in Blackpool, said: "Our industry is the most age-friendly industry to work in - I'm 55 and running an outlet that attracts mainly 18 to 21-year-olds."
For more information visit www.agepositive.gov.uk
