Age discrimination: Share your views

28 September 2006

2 minute read

Next week the government's new age discrimination laws will kick in. But just how likely do you think it that a horde of 50 year old graduate trainees will descend on a trading floor near you anytime soon?

If finance recruiters' opinions are anything to go by, that likelihood is fairly small (although few are prepared to say so on the record). "I would hope to believe that everyone is looked at for their merits, but in practice it is difficult for banks to take older candidates at more junior levels," says one. "Why? Because it's difficult to have a cohesive team if one of the members is 10 or 15 years older than the rest."

Linda Jackson, consultant at banking outplacement firm Fairplace says older candidates find it particularly hard to land roles in the front office: "People think you'll be burnt out by your mid-to late 40s."

Jackson describes the experiences of one candidate who was over 50 and slightly plump. She was apparently informed by a banking interviewer that she "looked like she had a very traditional, old-fashioned approach."

As of this Sunday, such comments will be officially outlawed. Christopher Fisher, partner at law firm Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw says the laws will be an issue for search firms as well as banks, who can be held to be as liable as their clients if they cherry-pick candidates on factors other than their ability to do the job.

"If a client says I only want someone between 45 and 50 for example, or they themselves choose only people within a particular age band they risk being accused of discrimination," he tells us.

Do you think banks will rush to hire older staff? - Add your comment and let us know what you think.

We will add your comment or question below and keep it anonymous unless you tell us otherwise.

AUTHORTessa Liburd

Insider Comment

Ku
Kumar
12 October 2006
Jobs that specify a maximum period of experience are discriminating on the basis of age as are statements such as you don't have current experience. The argument here is that if the principles and techniques do not change current experience will not have significant bearing.
Similarly, the comment of not being able to fit into a younger team is
decidedly ageist and is likely to attract law suits. This is exactly
what the spirit of the legislation is against and in the UK, the spirit
of the legislation is considered in relation to the letter of the
legislation. Both employers and agents should be aware of this point.
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An
Anon
27 September 2006
I think you are way unrealistic in believing 50 is something of a limit.
In reality keeping a City job or getting hired beyond 35 is a nightmare.
If employers don't specify age, they may phrase it something like this "no more than 5 years of work experience". The quote comes straight off your very own e-mail sent out today about The Careers in Europe Forum.
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