Week In Week Out has found that a number of employers are getting rid of older staff before the new law comes into force next week.

From 1 October it will be illegal to discriminate against employees on the basis of age, and workers over 65 will have employment rights for the first time.

71 year old maths teacher Beti Williams describes how she was dismissed from a private school in Swansea because of the new legislation.

Beti says her dismissal came as a complete surprise. "It was a real shock and I'm really still stressed about it. There was no discussion. I was dismissed because of the new legislation that's coming in on October 1st".

Fynnone House School say because of the new law they're confirming their policy of retirement at 65. To ensure consistency in the future, they've given notice to anyone who's over that age now.

Patrick Grattan of the Age and Employment Network says the legislation will have a huge impact in the workplace. "There is mechanism now for people to seek redress, and there hasn't been in the past, and that's very important"

Under the new law, workers who feel they've been the victims of age discrimination will be able to go to a tribunal. Unlike race, sex and disability hearings, there is no upper ceiling on the compensation that can be awarded.

There's widespread ignorance about the new law. But many companies who do know about it fear it could be bad for business. Russell Lawson speaks for the Federation of Small Businesses, which has nearly ten thousand members in Wales. "What we would like to have seen first would be a prolonged period of education, rather than setting a date and saying right from this date if you don't do what we think then we could potentially close you down."