Age discrimination law proposed for Guernsey

Monday, 24 March 2025 15:30

Islanders could get better protection from age discrimination.

Since October 2023 people in Guernsey, Herm and Jethou have had protection from discrimination on the grounds of disability, carer status, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.

The results of a public consultation in late 2024 have promoted Employment & Social Security to propose extending the Prevention of Discrimination Ordinance to cover unfair treatment based on age.

This would apply to employment, accessing goods, services, accommodation and education, and memberships of clubs and associations.

Committee President Deputy Peter Roffey hopes it will stop companies from enforcing 'arbitrary retirement ages'.

"Not only is that not really unfair on older workers but it’s actually not good for our economy, because we have a skill shortage and a labour shortage.

"So easing people out of work just because they have reached a certain age makes no sense at all."

He added that there would be some exceptions if organisations can provide legitimate reasons for differential treatment based on age.

"There might be certain professionals like firefighters for instance, where it can be justified that beyond a certain age to actually be on the front line is not practical.

"The legislation is deliberately designed to be reasonable and flexible."

If approved, the amendments would be brought back to the States during the next government term.