Age and employment

Age discrimination occurs when someone is unfairly disadvantaged for reasons relating to their age which cannot be objectively justified. It has been illegal in the UK since 2006, with the law now incorporated into the Equality Act 2010. People of all ages can be affected, including younger and older workers, and the growing number of older people in employment makes this group a key focus.

This factsheet offers an overview of the different types of discrimination with examples of how they apply to age. It refers to retirement and suggests good employment practices to ensure everyone has fair access and opportunity to progress in work, regardless of their age.

See our report on understanding older workers for recommendations on how employers can support longer and more fulfilling working lives.

Explore our viewpoint on age-diverse workforces in more detail, along with actions for government and recommendations for employers.