Government: manufacturing must combat age discrimination

Some manufacturers are specifying maximum recruitment ages and setting contractual retirement ages below 65 – both of which are unlawful practices.

Age Positive said it was working with employers in the sector to remove compulsory retirement and adopt a flexible approach.

At Brecon Pharmaceuticals in Hay-on-Wye, for example, 50% of its 280 employees are aged 45-65.

"Age isn't a problem for Brecon Pharmaceuticals," said personnel officer Barry Roberts. "We don't see that age discrimination makes good business sense – it's what staff bring to the table that's important.

"Knowledge is more important than age and we don't want to do anything to prevent us recruiting the right people."

Andy Brown, corporate affairs director at the British Printing Industries Federation, said it was also important for firms to take on new blood or the workforce would gradually get older and lose its skill base.

"There is age discrimination at both ends of the spectrum," said Brown. "There has been a practice to force people out at 60, but we have issued joint guidance with Amicus for the default retirement age of 65 to be adopted.

"However, this does not preclude firms from acceding to requests from individual employees to continue working beyond the normal retirement age, which should be given careful consideration in the light of the needs of the business and the wishes of the individual."

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