Lincolnshire chartered accountancy firm Nicholsons is offering businesses in the region advice on some significant actual and potential changes to employment law at a seminar later this month.

Andy Tomlinson, the firm's in-house Human Resources consultant, and lawyer Danny Miller will be discussing the potential abolition of the default retirement age, meaning firms would no longer be able to force employees to leave when they reach the relevant age.

They will also be discussing the 2010 Equality Act which brings together various pieces of existing legislation as well as introducing some new provisions on such issues as 'indirect' discrimination and harassment.

Mr Tomlinson said: "The change to the default retirement age will be a major challenge to businesses - many may welcome the opportunity to continue to use the knowledge and expertise of senior staff but there may be issues where employees are no longer able to do the job, which is obviously a more subjective judgement.

"Furthermore, while I am sure most employers will already be complying with the majority of points in the Equality Act, it is important that they are aware of the changes already introduced to ensure they do not inadvertently fall foul of one of the new provisions.  An example is that in most cases it will amount to discrimination if questions are asked about the health of a job applicant before the interview.

"I'm looking forward to discussing these changes with local employers and will be happy to answer any questions they may have."