More than one in ten companies have received a claim under the new age discrimination laws.

A study by London law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner revealed age discrimination is having an immediate impact on the UK workplace. It is likely UK employers will face hefty financial penalties with employment tribunal figures indication the average compensation awarded under the legislation is £20,000.

Key findings of the survey of 50 businesses found 73 percent had already been affected by the new age regulations, half felt it benefited older employees most and a total of 55 percent claimed the UK workplace had become over-regulated.

Only 11 per cent said the new regulations have had a negative impact on their business, with 36 per cent believing that it has had a positive affect.

Rebecca Harding-Hill, of Berwin Leighton Paisner, said: "It is significant that nearly one in ten companies have already received age claims. This suggests that employees are aware of the age regulations and are willing to take action against their employer (or former employer) on the basis of the new legislation.

"Employees’ increasingly heightened legal awareness could lead to a dramatic increase in claims. Employers are particularly vulnerable with regard to this new area of discrimination law which requires a change in attitude for many. If employers are not on top of the age legislation and all of its ramifications, age claims could result in a significant financial cost for UK businesses."