Ageism affects young people too

Age discrimination is often regarded as an older workers' problem, but research from law firm Eversheds has found that it also affects young people - almost 60% of 16- to 24-year-olds said they had experienced unfair treatment because of their age or lack of experience.

Workers of all ages were also asked whether they knew about the legislation to outlaw age discrimination in employment and vocational training, which is to come into force in October 2006 - but fewer than half did.

The government finished consulting on its age discrimination proposals earlier this month. It estimates that ageism in employment costs the UK economy £16 to £31 billion a year.

Another finding of the Eversheds research was that 75% of workers do not want a compulsory retirement age - and that of the 25% who do, most would like it to be at 60.