The DTI’s appeal against a landmark tribunal ruling giving employment rights
to older workers is to be heard in May.
The tribunal decision, made last year, gives thousands of workers aged over
65 the right to claim for unfair dismissal and redundancy payments.
John Rutherford and Samuel Bentley won their claims for indirect sexual
harassment after they were dismissed from their jobs in the clothing industry
on the grounds that they were over 65.
Their legal teams argued that there are far more working men over the age of
65 compared to women, and therefore the cut-off point at 65 years discriminates
against men.
Last month the Stratford Employment Tribunal awarded Rutherford £5,490 and
Samuel Bentley £1,498.50.
The DTI’s appeal is to be heard by the Employment Appeal Tribunal on 22 and
23 May.
