Age discrimination at work is a lot more common than people think. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), more than 25,000 charges of age discrimination were filed between the years 2020 and 2021.
Stereotypes of older workers being less capable or efficient have often led to employers overlooking them for promotions. In other cases, it can mean a person over 40 is not even considered to be hired in the first place. This not only affects a person’s career, but also their livelihood.
Workers are legally protected by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). It is important for you to know what the act covers and how you can access its protection.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act Overview
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act was enacted in 1967. Its aim is to protect people who are 40 and older from facing poor treatment in the workplace.
Age discrimination in the workplace can look like any form of less favorable treatment due to an employee’s age. This covers many different facets of employment, including work assignments, opportunities for advancement, and differences in training, benefits, or salary.
Harassment in the Workplace
The act also protects older workers from age-related harassment in the workplace. Occasional comments are excluded from this protection. However, repeated actions that result in a hostile work environment constitute illegal harassment.
Whether it is an employer, coworker, or another staff member, if you are being harassed due to your age, the ADEA gives you the legal right to take action.
Another aspect of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act is protection from policies that negatively impact older workers.
These can even include policies that apply to all staff members.
Age Discrimination in Action
According to a cutting-edge study conducted by economist David Neumark, older prospective employees who apply for a job in person are less likely to be hired than those who apply online without revealing their age.
His findings also conclude that older applicants are offered 68% fewer opportunities than younger applicants.
How the Age Discrimination in Employment Act can Help you
If you are experiencing harassment or age discrimination in the workplace and you are over 40 years old, you may be able to take action. Age discrimination cases can be difficult to prove. That being said, successful ones usually yield substantial compensation.
In order to benefit from the protection of this law, you will want to find an age discrimination attorney. This is a special type of lawyer that focuses specifically on cases such as yours. They are more likely to help you get the settlement you deserve.
Don’t Let Age Discrimination Stand in Your Way
Over the last two decades, the average global life expectancy has increased by six years. Those who have spent years building successful careers want to continue to pursue their passions.
You won’t want to let others curtail what you have worked so hard to achieve. Knowing about the Age Discrimination in Employment Act will prevent you from falling victim to the biases of employers.
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