Age pays at the Co-op (From The Oxford Times)

Age pays at the Co-op

3:46pm Tuesday 28th October 2008 in Jobs

An Oxford-based supermarket chain has been recognised in the battle to end age discrimination in the workforce.

The Midcounties Co-operative based in Botley Road, has been recognised as an 'Age Positive Employer Champion' by Age Positive, a Government initiative which aims to highlight the business benefits of employing older workers to employers.

The award has been given after the organisation set up a new diversity steering group focusing on age, gender, disability and race.

Ben Reid, chief executive of the Midcounties Co-operative, said: "Diversity goes much further than equal opportunities and recognises that we are all different, that we all have different skills and backgrounds and that we work in different ways."

Arthur Phillips from Age Positive added: "It makes good business sense to harness the value of older workers as they will benefit from the experience, loyalty and skills they can bring.

"It simply doesn't make sense to retire an employee because of their age. All that should matter is competency to do the job."