Age at BT

BT Age Champion Aaron McCormack:

At BT we believe in the fundamental principle of merit. All employment decisions should be based on the skills and attributes of individuals and not irrelevant factors such as age. When age stereotypes determine whom we recruit or promote, we fail to see the individual and the skills they can offer. Mixed-age teams provide us with the best opportunity to truly understand our customers' needs and we reap the benefits of their rich diversity of views, opinions and experiences.

The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 came into force on 1 October 2006 in the UK, but age equality has long been part of BT's agenda. On 1 October 2006,in line with the new age legislation, BT introduced a flexible approach to retirement, with no set retirement age, which provided BT people over 60 the opportunity to continue working beyond 60 years of age.

The company was also one of the founder members of the Employers Forum on Age (EFA), an independent network of leading employers who recognise the value of an age diverse workforce. BT Age Champion Aaron McCormack, affords Senior Management sponsorship to BT's age diversity agenda, and in 2006, BT People and Policy manager Becky Mason was presented with a prestigious award from the EFA for outstanding commitment to the age agenda in employment.