Oldies get big thumbs-up from government

The Department for Work and Pensions has released details about its upcoming Age Positive Week, the focal point of an ongoing government campaign to raise awareness of age diversity and discrimination in the workplace.

It will take place from 21 June to 25 June.

Events scheduled in London for the week so far include an all-ages celebrity sports event, a supplement in The Guardian newspaper, the launch of an awards programme for recruiters who don't discriminate based on age and the announcement of the Age Positive Awards finalists.

The Age Positive Awards will go to employers and individuals from across the UK. Employers will be singled out for unbiased hiring practices, taking on older workers, retraining them and encouraging them to be active at all levels of the business.

Individuals will be recognised for defying stereotypes and remaining active later in life. Previous winners have included a woman who retrained as a solicitor at 45 and is working her way up through the firm.

The Age Positive campaigners are collaborating with regional newspapers across England, Scotland and Wales to help locate local award candidates.

Ageism is a particular issue for the IT industry. The department has heard few success stories for older individuals in IT, according to an Age Positive spokesperson. It has one case study of a man who started his own consultancy after being unable to find a position in the industry.

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