A majority of IT professionals believe ageism is more prevalent in the technology sector than in other industries and more than half believe their search for work has been hindered because they were too old, according to research by The IT Job Board.

However it found that more than one third (38%) are not aware of the new legislation that now outlaws ageism in the workplace.

Ray Duggins, managing director of The IT Job Board, says: “The new legislation represents the biggest shake up in workplace anti-discrimination legislation for over a quarter of a century. Despite that, there is clearly a great deal of confusion about what it will entail, and the results of our research are extremely concerning.

“However, the material that we have developed in our two guides is aimed at guiding employers through the new legal minefield, as well as providing employees with advice on what they can do to avoid being treated unfairly – and now illegally – due to their age in the first place,” Duggins says.