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Last Updated: Monday, 25 September 2006, 16:56 GMT 17:56 UK
Age discrimination: try our quiz
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Can you advertise for a young team? See question 3
Is your boss the sort who believes you're over the hill at 40? Or perhaps your line manager reckons you're a young whipper-snapper?

Well, from Sunday they may both find themselves on the wrong end of the law, when new age discrimination legislation comes into effect.

You can see how much the new legislation will affect you, with this instant quiz from Breakfast.

The answers have been compiled with information from the Employers' Forum on Age, which has been studying the impact of the new laws.

Please remember that the law hasn't yet been tested - and, even if you think your case is just like one of our examples, you'll still need to take your own legal advice.

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Question 1
The atmosphere in your office is pretty light-hearted. But your manager won't sign a jokey 40th birthday card saying a colleague is "over the hill". He reckons he could be sued for discrimination - is he over-reacting?
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A: Yes
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B: No
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Question 2
You're 50 and it's been difficult to get job interviews since you were made redundant a year ago. You suspect the problem is your age. So you've decided to sue the next employer who asks for your date of birth. Is the law on your side?
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A: Yes
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B: No
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Question 3
You run a very successful "cutting edge" new media company. Can you advertise for a dynamic recruit to join a young team?
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A: Yes
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B: No
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Question 4
Now put yourself at the head of a very small business. You've only got two members of staff - so is it OK to advertise for "office junior -would suit school leaver"?
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A: Yes
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B: No
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Question 5
Is it OK for graduate recruitment schemes to have an age limit of 25?
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A: Yes
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B: No
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Question 6
You're 22 and, although you're great at your job, you've just been turned down for promotion because you don't have the necessary five years' experience. Could the discrimination laws help?
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A: Yes
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B: No
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Question 7
You own a very trendy boutique. Two people have applied for the job of shop manager: one is in her 20s but she admits her maths is appalling and she's a poor time-keeper. The other is much better qualified, but at 57 she's old enough to be your customers' granny. Could she sue if she doesn't get the job?
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A: Yes
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B: No
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Question 8
You're just coming up to 65 and you're fighting fit and full of energy. Can you carry on working?
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A: Yes
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B: No
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Question 9
Your employer says he'll keep you on as long as you sign a new contract which will exclude you from the firm's health insurance scheme. Can he do this?
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A: Yes
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B: No
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Question 10
Your local music shop refuses to stock classical or easy listening music, on the grounds that it doesn't fit with their hip young image. Are they guilty of age discrimination
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A: Yes
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B: No

 Press the button and see how you have done

  • How will the new age discrimination laws affect you? You can use this form to e-mail your story straight to the Breakfast inbox:
  • Name
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    The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide.




    SEE ALSO
    'Millions unaware' of ageism laws
    25 Sep 06 |  Business

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