AGENDA: Why Should the Victims of Ageism Put Up and Shut Up? Two Years Ago This Week, Age Discrimination Became Unlawful in This Country. but Lorna Findlay, Head of the Employment Group at St Philips Chambers, Asks Have the New Rules Already Come of Age?

Byline: Lorna Findlay

It is two years since age discrimination in the workplace became unlawful in the UK, but it would appear that the laws have done little to change attitudes. If the furore surrounding reports that Selina Scott is set to sue Channel Five News after being allegedly "passed over" in favour of a younger female reporter is anything to go by, it seems that complaints of ageism are seen as laughable in some quarters rather than matters of real concern.

The Scott sensation follows on from last year's storm over whether Moira Stewart, the popular news presenter, had lost a presenting job because she was considered "too old".

Whilst many commentators were sympathetic to Ms Stewart, the general tone of the reaction to Selina Scott's claim was scathing, with the implication being that age discrimination - real or perceived - is not generally seen as a proper subject for complaint here in the UK.

The ever youthful Michael Winner was moved to describe Ms Scott's concerns as "pathetic" and her pursuit of her claim as …

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Publication information: Article title: AGENDA: Why Should the Victims of Ageism Put Up and Shut Up? Two Years Ago This Week, Age Discrimination Became Unlawful in This Country. but Lorna Findlay, Head of the Employment Group at St Philips Chambers, Asks Have the New Rules Already Come of Age?. Contributors: Not available. Newspaper title: The Birmingham Post (England). Publication date: October 2, 2008. Page number: 8. © 2009 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd. COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale Group.

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