'Last in, first out' policy is discriminatory

Mon 21 Jul 2008 at 4:03 PM

Employers have been warned, it they operate a 'last in, first out' policy they could face discrimination charges.

Workers are protected from losing their jobs on age grounds, although often it is younger workers who are most likely to go, commercial lawyer, emw law, has told Thisismoney.co.uk.

Head of employment Jon Taylor noted: "Now, where the age profile of the workforce means that most of those made redundant are younger workers, employers could expose themselves to the risk of claims."

However, simply because younger people lose their job does not immediately suggest they were discriminated against, it noted.

In a bid to increase the skills of younger people entering work the National Skills Academy has announced it has approved a tenth centre.

The Academy for Retail will join a nationwide network of employer–led institutes, which include Sport and Active Leisure, Creative and Cultural, and Hospitality academies.

An increasing number of apprenticeships now offer younger people training in
sales, legal and professional trades.