Ageism is still prevalent among UK workforces despite new regulations, a recent study has revealed.
According to research carried out by the Employers Forum on Age (EFA) and Procter & Gamble, almost six million people claim to have witnessed ageist behaviour in their workplace since the introduction of age discrimination regulations six months ago.
"Six months on, it is disappointing to find that so many people are still falling victim to ageism at work. It just goes to show that a change in the law is merely the first step in a long journey towards tackling endemic social prejudices," said Sam Mercer, director of EFA.
He also added that it is "cheaper, easier and much better for businesses to be fair in the way they recruit people in the first place, than to defend a discrimination claim in a tribunal".
The study found that one in five Brits said their age has prevented them getting a job in the past, while 63 per cent of those surveyed said that the new regulations have made little or no difference to the current situation.
Less than one in five small businesses surveyed said that they had introduced changes to their recruitment processes since the implementation of the regulations.
Researchers questioned a total of 1,000 workers and 750 small businesses while compiling the study.
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