According to the Age Partnership Group (APG), the majority of hospitality employers remain unconvinced of the business benefits of the impending new age discrimination laws.

A survey carried out by APG revealed that only 42 per cent of hotel and catering employers expect the new age legislation – which will take effect on 1 October – to improve staff retention and increase choice in the labour market by providing more job applicants of different ages.

Only 33 per cent of 1,500 hospitality employers who requested free information from the group believe that the new age legislation will result in ‘better workers’.

The Employers Forum on Age claims that the lack of preparatory action by employers could lead to claims costing up to an estimated £73bn.

In order to help employers prepare for the new laws, the APG has launched free information and guidance.

Anne Pierce, chief executive of Springboard, said: “Being prepared for age legislation makes sound common and business sense. Age legislation is coming and every employer will need to look very carefully at how they recruit and manage their staff and make changes accordingly.

“The truth is that all the research indicates that good age practices help improve staff retention, so we have everything to gain from being ready.” Details: www.agepositive.gov.uk