Redundancies among over-50s ‘increase’

The recession has increased the number of employees over the age of 50 who have been made redundant, a new survey has revealed.

Between October 2008 and May 2009, there was an increase from 32 per cent to 47 per cent in the number of individuals aged 50 and over who were made redundant, The Age and Employment Network (TAEN) found.

Another trend seen during the current economic downturn is a perception of ageist attitudes. Over 70 per cent of respondents believed that their employers saw them as “too old” – this figure stood at 63 per cent before the recession.

The findings from TAEN showed that 45 per cent of individuals do not feel that age discrimination laws have helped older people find work.

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Chris Ball, chief executive of TAEN, said that although legislation was introduced in 2006 to outlaw age discrimination in employment, “it has certainly not eradicated discrimination in recruitment – particularly when times are tight and where it is difficult for an individual to prove discrimination and take action”.

Business manager at TAEN Kenneth Frost previously said the recession has made reskilling and upskilling “essential” to the UK’s economy.