In the autumn the Government is to unveil a voluntary code of practice against age discrimination in the workplace. JIM GREENHALF reports on the situation in Bradford

About three years ago, at the age of 65, Philip Johnson retired from his job as a joiner with Bradford Council, and looked for lighter work.

Not particular about what kind, he applied to up to half-a-dozen companies. None of them wanted to know, he says, because of his age. So he went along to ASDA at Shipley, hoping the supermarket might have something. It did.

For the past two-and-a-half years Mr Johnson, 68, who lives at Undercliffe, has worked as the store's official greeter. His job is to make customers feel welcome.

"I stand in the foyer and talk to people; I help them every way I can," he said.

"I work 30 hours a week in various shifts. I am happy with that. I will be doing this job for another couple of years at least - and perhaps a couple more!"

But why does he want to work at his age?

"I need the money, because the pension isn't big; and because the job keeps me active. I meet people, I make announcements over the tannoy, and help with things," he said.

But is he just a token oldie, or are there more like him?

"There are quite a lot of mature people in this store, who are doing the work extremely well."

Mr Johnson's story should be pleasing to Age Concern. The pressure group, which represents the interests of older people, receives complaints annually from people who feel discriminated against in the job market because of age.

Sam Sykes, Age Concern's Bradford policy officer, said: "Legislation by itself cannot solve the problem. It's a question of changing the attitude towards employing older people. I broadly endorse the TUC's comments, that as we move towards the next Millennium a quarter of Britain's workforce will be over 50. Clearly, this cannot be ignored."

Judith Donovan, deputy chairman of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, acknowledges the problem of ageism, but believes persuasion rather than coercion is the best approach.

"I think an awareness campaign would be better, headed by someone on the telly. People of 55 and 65 are younger in terms of mind-set than they used to be. Make employers aware of the benefits of employing them rather than slap their wrists," she added.

Paul Armstrong, regional director of the city's Vicar Lane Jobcentre, said: "Anybody that's unemployed needs help. Bradford's Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) provides work-based training through POPE (see below). We also have seven job clubs throughout the district, to help people in their search for work," he said.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.