Hotel and catering bosses are failing to perpare for new anti-ageism regulations that take effect on 1 October, claims the Age Partnership Group. It found widespread scepticism in the trade over the benefits of the change.
Just 42% of hotel and catering bosses expected the new regulations to imporve staff retention or choice in the labour market and only a third believed it would lead to "better workers". The group warned that failure to preapre for the new rules could cost UK employers £73b in discrimination claims and up to £193m in 2007 alone.
Anne pierce, chief executive of Springboard, said employers needed to look carefully at how they recruited and managed staff. "All the research indicates that good age practices help improve staff retention, so we have got everything to gain from being ready". She added.
Age partnership Group has produced a free information pack to help employers to get ready. For more details, go to www.ageposotive.gov.uk