What do we mean by ‘Age’?

In the context of UK employment law for your games business, ‘age’ quite simply refers to ensuring all your employees, regardless of their age, are treated fairly and without discrimination. It’s all about creating an inclusive environment where everyone, from young whippersnappers to seasoned industry veterans, feels valued and respected in the workplace.

What is the law on Age Discrimination in the Workplace?

We’ll focus on specific UK age discrimination laws and how they impact your games businesses. In a nutshell, age discrimination laws are in place to ensure that employees of all ages get a fair shake in the workplace. That means no one should be treated unfairly because of their age, whether they’re fresh out of university or boasting a wealth of industry experience.

In terms of the legal side, the Equality Act 2010 is the go-to legislation that helps us ensure we’re treating everyone fairly when it comes to age. It covers a range of areas, from recruitment and promotions to pay and benefits, making sure that no one is left out or disadvantaged just because they’re a bit younger or older than their colleagues. So, it’s important to be mindful of age when we’re making decisions, setting policies, or simply interacting with our team members.

It’s not just about avoiding age discrimination – it’s also about creating a positive and supportive environment for everyone, regardless of their age. As games business leaders, we can promote age diversity by offering training and development opportunities, encouraging knowledge sharing between generations, and celebrating the unique strengths and perspectives each person brings to the table. That way, we’re not only following the law but also fostering a fantastic workplace where everyone can thrive and do their best work.

Key organisations & resources

Calendar events

Develop:Brighton

The Develop:Brighton conference has something for everyone – 10 tracks covering every discipline of game making, including free Roundtables and Indie BootCamp. It’s main focus is practical take-away and vocational content giving you the chance to “skill-up” and do what you do even better.

Learn more about Develop:Brighton

Develop:Star Awards

Taking place on the evening of Wednesday 10 July during Develop:Brighton, the Develop:Star Awards 2024 will recognise the very best games and talent within the industry with categories that enable studios of every size to shine.

International Youth Day

International Youth Day is an annual observance dedicated to celebrating the potential of young people, raising awareness of challenges they face, and promoting their active engagement in socio-economic and political processes.

Learn more about International Youth Day

National Inclusion Week

Founded by Inclusive Employers, National Inclusion Week (NIW) is a week dedicated to celebrating inclusion and taking action to create inclusive workplaces.

Learn more about National Inclusion Week

International Day of Older Persons

International Day of Older Persons is dedicated to honouring the contributions of senior citizens and addressing challenges they face, emphasising the importance of ensuring their well-being and participation in society.

Learn more about International Day of Older Persons

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery marks the date of the adoption, by the General Assembly, of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (resolution 317(IV) of 2 December 1949).

Learn more about International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

Human Rights Day

In the decades since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, human rights have become more recognised and more guaranteed across the globe.

Learn more about Human Rights Day