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Is it legal? NLW

Just wanted to know if it is legal.

A local pub run by a company who have a chain of pubs, have kicked out the licensees today and taken in new licensees. The employees who work on a part time basis, hours ranging from 16 hrs upwards have been told by the person from the company that they will be finishing all employees over the age of 25 so they don't need to pay the NLW. Is it legal? Can the employees do anything about this?

Thanks in advance.
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Comments

  • molerat
    molerat Posts: 33,504 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    If they have under 2 years service not a lot can be done.
  • Nicky321
    Nicky321 Posts: 1,426 Forumite
    Thanks molerat, but why? would it not be classed as unfair dismissal? would they not have any rights?

    I'm googling at the moment, but not finding specific answers.
  • Guest101
    Guest101 Posts: 15,764 Forumite
    Age is one of the protected characteristics isn't it?
  • Nicky321
    Nicky321 Posts: 1,426 Forumite
    Guest101 wrote: »
    Age is one of the protected characteristics isn't it?

    thats what i was thinking
  • DKLS
    DKLS Posts: 13,461 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    It was inevitable that some companies would do this as soon as the NLW was brought in.
  • Nicky321
    Nicky321 Posts: 1,426 Forumite
    DKLS wrote: »
    It was inevitable that some companies would do this as soon as the NLW was brought in.

    But is it legal? can the dismissed employees do anything about it?
  • tomtontom
    tomtontom Posts: 7,929 Forumite
    Nicky321 wrote: »
    But is it legal? can the dismissed employees do anything about it?

    Age discrimination is lawful when it can be justified. In this case it could be argued that the employer wishes to promote opportunity for young people, or simply that the business cannot support the new level of expenditure (though they would have to prove this).

    It may be age discrimination, but it is going to be a common occurrence and I can't see a higher court wanting to set such a precedent if it went past a first tier tribunal.
  • Takeaway_Addict
    Takeaway_Addict Posts: 6,538 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    tomtontom wrote: »
    Age discrimination is lawful when it can be justified. In this case it could be argued that the employer wishes to promote opportunity for young people, or simply that the business cannot support the new level of expenditure (though they would have to prove this).

    It may be age discrimination, but it is going to be a common occurrence and I can't see a higher court wanting to set such a precedent if it went past a first tier tribunal.
    I disagree- Such blatent age discrimiation is likely to get the employer hammered.
    Don't trust a forum for advice. Get proper paid advice. Any advice given should always be checked
  • Nicky321
    Nicky321 Posts: 1,426 Forumite
    Does anyone have any recommendations of what they should do?
    Who would they need to contact in the first instance?

    Thankyou for the replies so far xx
  • getmore4less
    getmore4less Posts: 46,882 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper I've helped Parliament
    If a chain have a good moan on their facebook.
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