Age diversity 'needed in workplace'

A diverse range of ages is needed in the workplace, according to one organisation.

The Chartered Institute of Personal Development (CIPD) has stated that age discrimination can occur at any age and that although the UK has become more positive in its attitude to older workers, a negative stance should not be adopted towards younger employees.

Freda Line, diversity officer at the CIPD, explained that discrimination against both old and young employees should be avoided and that diversity in the workplace brings different knowledge and skills to the working environment.

"The important thing is the mixture and the balance and recognising that actually what you need is a diversity of people," she said.

"People do have different life experiences and people do have different backgrounds and because of that knowledge and their different skills they can bring different perspectives and understandings to the business."

In doing this, the workforce reflects the diverse customer base, which then enhances performance, she added.

According to the Office for National Statistics the employment rate of men and women aged between 50 and state pension age increased by eight per cent from 1994 to 2004.

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