As from 1 October 2006, new legislation comes into force in the Uk 
outlawing age discrimination in employment. (quote from BBC News follows)

"Age discrimination to be outlawed
 
People could work up until 70 under the proposals 
Government proposals that could see millions of people working until they 
are 70 have been unveiled. The plans for tackling age discrimination, 
which stem from a European Union directive, will mark the biggest change 
in employment law for a generation. 

Employers are set to be banned from enforcing a retirement age below 70. 

The new proposals are also designed to outlaw ageist advertising and 
workplace practices. 

Under the new rules employers would not be allowed to stipulate the 
required ages for a job or to tell older employees they did not qualify 
for training schemes."

Writing as someone who advertises museum jobs, I have become aware that, 
although this was designed to prevent discrimination against older 
workers, it will also outlaw discrimination on grounds of being too young. 
Advertising phrases such as "5 years management experience" or even "10 
years experience" or "would suit an older person" will be regarded as 
discriminatory; the first two on the basis that a recent graduate or young 
applicant has not had time to gain years of experience.

The more obvious "We are looking for a young person to join our dynamic 
team" is plainer and easier to discern, but employing on the basis of 
experience, training, qualifications, life choices might all be seen as 
indirectly discrimatory.

UK employers will have to negotiate the minefield from 1 October. Ther is 
no lead in period. The law will be the law; we all have to look to our 
methods.

Jim Roberts
Webmaster
University of Leicester 
Department of Museum Studies
http://www.le.ac.uk/ms/jobs/job_titles_jobid.htm

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