Age discrimination law proposed for Guernsey

Rules are being proposed to protect people from harassment, victimisation and discrimination because of their age, the States of Guernsey has said.

The Committee for Employment and Social Security has proposed people should be protected from age discrimination in work, when buying goods and services, in accommodation and education.

The proposal is the latest stage of the introduction of anti-discrimination legislation in the bailiwick after initial changes came into force in 2023.

If approved amendments to the Prevention of Discrimination Ordinance would be brought back to the States during the next government term.

The 2023 law currently gives people in Guernsey, Herm and Jethou protection from discrimination on the grounds of disability, carer status, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.

The new proposals include allowing objective justification of direct age discrimination, and will also cover memberships of clubs and associations.

The States said: "This is so employers and service providers can treat people differently because of their age, where doing so can be shown to be a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim."

The committee also proposed exceptions "to provide employers and service providers with greater clarity on when differential treatment on the ground of age is permitted".

If it goes ahead people over school leaving age would be able to bring complaints about employment, while accommodation discrimination complaints would be open to those over 18.

Deputy Peter Roffey, President of the Committee for Employment and Social Security, said: "The aim is to ensure the legislation only prohibits genuinely harmful treatment.

"In particular, the proposals – if approved – should help end ageist attitudes towards the employability of older workers, which is not only unfair to individuals but also damaging to our economy."

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