Age discrimination law in force by September – but still a chance to have your say

Thursday 24 December 2015

Age discrimination against young or old people will be illegal from September but there’s still a chance to have your say before the law is set in stone.

Social Security Minister Susie Pinel has committed to bringing legislation in during 2016, and has opened a public consultation on how the law will work.

Jersey is some way behind other jurisdictions in terms of age discrimination legislation.

The average age of the Island’s population is getting increasingly older, just like many other places around the world.

States stats show that over the next 20 years the number of people in Jersey aged over 65 will double and there will be nearly three times as many people over-85.

The consultation opened by the minister focuses on what the law should do, and where there should be exemptions to it.

For example, it is proposed that dismissing someone at normal retirement age should not be classed as discrimination, and that hairdressers and museums – for example – should continue to be allowed to provide age-related concessions to different age groups.

You can have your say on the proposals here.

Deputy Pinel said: “We want to ensure that we introduce appropriate measures and I welcome comments on the proposed scope of the protection.

“This is not just about protecting older people or younger people. The Law will protect people of all ages in recruitment, employment, clubs and associations, voluntary work and the provision of goods and services.

“I welcome comments on the exceptions.

“While the Law will protect people of all ages in Jersey, the most complicated issue is likely to be retirement – we are asking people whether they agree that the dismissal of an employee at pensionable age should not be treated an act of age discrimination, as long as the employer has a policy of requiring employees to retire at that age.”