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Age Discrimination Solicitors

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Age discrimination occurs when you’re treated differently or unfairly because of your age. It is illegal to discriminate against an individual simply on the basis of their age under The Equality Act 2010.

There are a total of nine characteristics that are protected under The Equality Act 2010. It is illegal to discriminate against an individual simply for possessing one or the following more of these protected characteristics:

Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Marriage or civil partnership
Pregnancy and maternity
Sex
Sexual orientation
Race
Religion or belief

"The team at WH have a very consultative and collaborative approach with their engagements. We have actively avoided employment disputes and solved employment disputes through their consultative and collaborative approach."

If you have been discriminated against on the basis of age, or another one of these characteristics, you will be protected under The Equality Act 2010 and, as a result, you may be able to claim compensation.

There are a variety of ways in which an individual can experience discrimination, including from a one-off event, through a policy/practice in the workplace or through a continuing act.

Age discrimination at work can occur at any age and any point in your employment, for example during recruitment, if you’re passed over for a promotion or have been made redundant before others in the company.

You could be able to make an age discrimination claim if you have experienced this kind of treatment. Contact us today to see how our age discrimination solicitors could help you.

Not all protected characteristics are covered by all types of discrimination, and the protected characteristic of disability has some additional types.

Types of age discrimination

There are various forms of age discrimination in the workplace, including:

Direct discrimination at work

This occurs when you’re treated differently for a specific reason. An example of this is if a manager says they won’t give someone a pay rise because they’re too young.

Indirect discrimination at work

This is when an unfair policy or rule applies to everyone in the company but affects people who represent a certain group more. An example of this could be an employer only offering training for those who have graduated within the last 2 years. This would be discriminatory against older people as they aren’t being offered the same training.

Harassment at work

This aggressive behaviour is used to offend or intimidate someone. An example of this could be when colleagues make fun of another colleague by saying that they can’t understand something because they’re too old.

Victimisation at work

This occurs when you are treated differently as a result of complaining or reporting discrimination. An example of this would be you not gaining a promotion due to you speaking up about your friend not receiving one due to discrimination.

How to prove age discrimination

Demonstrating discrimination has taken place will vary depending on the type of discrimination you are alleging, as well as the protected characteristic being relied upon.

For instance, to prove age discrimination, a comparison with other colleagues who don’t share the same age as you but are similar to you in other characteristics is required. This allows you to demonstrate the disadvantage you are facing due to being a different age.

Why choose Wright Hassall?

At Wright Hassall, our employment law solicitors are here to help advise on dealing with or making a discrimination claim. As part of this, we can discuss with you both the ACAS process, which become before and runs alongside any Employment Tribunal claim, as well as alternative options you may wish to consider. We’ll offer cost-effective employment advice tailored to your specific needs and give you an idea of potential overall costs from the outset of the matter, and updates for each stage of the process.

We offer legal advice to both employees and employers across England and Wales and regularly work with clients from Birmingham, London and the West Midlands. For further information and advice on how to make an age discrimination claim (or any discrimination claim), get in touch with our age discrimination solicitors today.