The decision of the Northern Ireland employment tribunal in McCoy v McGregor and Sons Ltd is a cautionary tale for employers who have not eliminated age-related language and questions from their recruitment exercises.

The youngest claimant, in Wilkinson v Springwell Engineering Ltd, was 18 when she was dismissed, ostensibly on grounds of her capability.

A 61 year old teacher who was not shortlisted for a job advertised for candidates ‘in the first five years of their career’ was indirectly discriminated against on the grounds of her age.