Economic slide likely if old hands ignored

Government minister Barbara Roche has warned employers that the economy will
suffer if employers don’t use the talents of older workers.

Speaking at the conference, Roche, the minister responsible for tackling age
discrimination, told employers it is in their interests to employ older staff.

She said: "Age discrimination does great damage to our economy.
Overlooking people because age is short-sighted and throws away a vast pool of
talent."

Roche told delegates she is confident that attitudes are changing ahead of
the anti-age discrimination legislation to be implemented in the UK in 2006.

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She said: "I believe the message is beginning to get through, employers
are increasingly becoming aware of the benefits a diverse workforce brings.

"We have much to lose if we fail to rid employment of age
discrimination."