Support for Age Positive (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Support for Age Positive

RECRUITMENT specialists are backing the fight against age discrimination for the Age Positive Awards 2004.

The Government-backed scheme supported by the Wiltshire Times aims to reward companies and individuals succeeding against the age barrier.

Age discrimination is the largest form of prejudice in the workplace and affects one in four employees.

Companies and staff can now apply for the awards run by the Department for Work and Pensions and supported by experts in recruitment on the front line.

Gillian Apps, director of GA Recruitment in Warminster, said: "Age discrimination is a disgraceful thing to find in the workplace. These awards are a great way to bring this to people's attention.

"We find age discrimination is much more of a problem for older people, it seems everybody who is over 38-years-old is either considered to be past their best or wanting to run the show.

"But this is not the case, we have many people on our books with a wealth of experience who just want to go to work again.

"There should be some strict laws against it. Some companies don't think older people can pick up new skills but I can assure them that they can.

"There is also discrimination against younger people in Warminster, a lot of companies are wary of employing the youngsters from this town."

The Age Positive campaign is attempting to highlight the benefits of workers of all ages ahead of the introduction of new EU anti-discrimination legislation in 2006. Jan Broomfield, branch manager at PSB Staffsign in Trowbridge said: "We are aware of the Age Positive scheme and support it 100 per cent.

"We have several older workers out on placements at the moment and they are doing very well. An older worker can bring reliability and experience to the workplace, which is vital especially in temporary placements."

Many celebrities who are still working into their older years are backing the Age Positive Awards.

Dame Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop, said: "Being Age Positive at work means employing someone irrespective of age, which is why I support the Age Positive campaign."

Application forms can be obtained at the Wiltshire Times offices, Duke Street, Trowbridge or on www.agepositive.co.uk. Entries for employer or employee awards can be sent to Kate Matthews, Geronimo PR, Athene House, The Broadway, Mill Hill, London, NW7 3TD by May 21.