Employment - In England

I’ve just applied for a job and the form asks for my date of birth. Do I have to give it? I’m afraid the company won’t look at my application if they realise how old I am.

This information applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Despite the fact there are laws to stop age discrimination, there’s nothing to prevent a company asking your date of birth on an application form. But if you don’t get the job and you think it’s because of your age, you can use the fact that they asked you for your date of birth as possible evidence of age discrimination which is against the law. You may be able to make a claim for compensation.

For more information about age discrimination at work, see Age discrimination at work.

Other Frequently asked questions about employment:

• Am I entitled to paid holiday?
• Am I entitled to have the Bank holiday off work?
• My partner is due to have a baby very soon. Am I entitled to any time off work? Will I get paid?
• Can my employer force me to give back an overpayment of wages?
• Does my employer need to give me a certain period of notice before he dismisses me?
• Can my employer dismiss me because I am pregnant?
• I think I am being discriminated against at work because I am a woman.  What can I do?
• What can I do about being victimised after I complained about being discriminated against at work?
• I feel I am being racially discriminated against at work.  What can I do?
• Is there any special protection in the workplace for disabled people?
• I think I'm being treated unfairly because of my religion, is this legal?
• I'm being harassed at work because my colleagues think I’m gay. What can I do?
• My contract at work says I have to retire at 60. Can they make me retire?
• I am under a lot of stress at work, does my employer have to do anything about this?
• When I was younger I got into trouble with the police. I'm applying for jobs now and I'm worried my conviction will stop me getting work. Do I have to tell employers about my criminal record?