Analysis: Ageism: Time Running out on Outdated Age Discrimination Legislation ; an Ageing Population and Reduced Pensions Mean That Many People Will Be Forced to Delay Their Long-Awaited Retirement

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BRITISH BOSSES will be comforting themselves today that the latest age discrimination case to hit the headlines has broken in America, the litigation capital of the world.

They will no doubt be reassured that although 56-year-old Sharon Haugh is suing a UK company, the merchant bank Schroders, she is using US laws, which for many years have recognised the rights of an ageing workforce.

Schroders insists it is committed to equal opportunities and denies the claim. Yet in Britain, to discriminate on the basis of age alone has never been illegal. But by 2006, this will change and cases will become commonplace in British courts. In four years' time, ministers must …