The Government has defended new moves to stamp out age discrimination in the workplace after employers complained they were "confusing", just days before new laws come into force.
Research among 150 organisations with almost half a million workers revealed that many were retaining practices which would fall foul of the regulations, which will be introduced on Sunday.
Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling said there was bound to be a degree of uncertainty when new legislation was introduced.
"We've tried to put in place something that is common sense, and something that also will help change people's general culture and attitude towards age. Because unfortunately there is a minority of people who do discriminate because of age."
Mr Darling said that one in three workers would be over 50 in 15 years' time, and it would not make any sense for the country or for business to "ignore" them.
"We are determined to create a world where the best person for the job is just that - the best person. The new laws will help to do that."
The new research, by law firm Eversheds, showed that fewer than two out of three firms had trained managers involved in recruitment on the implications of the new laws, which are aimed at tackling age discrimination in the workplace such as including ages in job adverts.
Matthew Knowles, spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses said: "It is not surprising that this change in the law is causing confusion for businesses. The information campaign has left a lot to be desired and many firms are still unsure of what is required of them.
"We hope that small firms that are caught out in the initial few months will be given support and advice to get things right rather than be hammered straight away."
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Tim Bull of Saga, said: "We have long recognised the valuable role that today's over 50s play in the workplace and are delighted that people who genuinely feel they have been unfairly discriminated against will have the opportunity for redress."
