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Newton Age Discrimination Lawyer

Firm Lawyers

Do you ever feel like you’re invisible because of your age? Are there occasions where you think that perhaps your ideas and opinions are sidelined simply because of your age? If so, it likely means you have been a victim of age discrimination.

Age discrimination is sadly alive and well in the modern workplace, but there are ways to handle it properly if it happens to you or someone else. We will discuss what exactly ageism entails, look at some real-life examples from recent times as evidence, and offer advice on how to best take action against this kind of unfairness. Keep reading for all the details – don’t let an unjust system discriminate against any one group!

What is Age Discrimination?

Age discrimination is the unfavorable treatment of people or groups because of their age. Age discrimination can occur in any area, including but not limited to:

  • Employment
  • Education
  • Health services
  • Access to goods and services

Age discrimination can also take the form of age-based stereotypes used to make decisions about people without considering their individual qualifications. These stereotypes can negatively impact older workers when it comes to hiring, promotions, and other professional opportunities.

What Qualifies as Age Discrimination?

Age discrimination may take many forms, from direct comments and harassment to more subtle actions such as not promoting or hiring older workers. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967 is a federal law that protects workers over 40 from discrimination based on their age.

Examples of age discrimination in general:

  • Denying an older person services or benefits that are available to younger people, such as discounts at a restaurant or access to certain programs.
  • Refusing to hire someone due to their age.
  • Prohibiting an older person from participating in activities or events because of their age.
  • Making derogatory comments about someone’s age, such as calling them “too old” or “over the hill.”
  • Treating a person differently because they look older than they actually are.

Examples of age discrimination in the workplace:

  • Not hiring an older person because they are perceived as being too “old-fashioned” or not up to date with technology.
  • Forced retirement before a certain age, even if the employee can still do their job.
  • Discouraging older workers from applying for new positions.
  • Refusing to promote or give raises to older workers due to their age.
  • Creating a hostile work environment for older employees by making age-based jokes or comments.

What Are the Legal Consequences of Age Discrimination?

Working with age discrimination in the workplace can often be uncomfortable for everyone involved. It’s important to understand what constitutes age discrimination and the legal consequences of such actions.

Age discrimination laws provide protection against employers discriminating on the basis of age, race, gender, or other protected classes. Under these laws, it is illegal for employers to treat employees differently based on their age. This includes refusing to hire, firing, demoting, or not providing opportunities for advancement due to age.

When filing a complaint of age discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), employees should provide specific details regarding any instances of discriminatory behavior. Employees must also demonstrate that they are more qualified than any younger individuals being considered for the same position or promotion.

On the other hand, employers found to have discriminated against an employee due to their age can be subject to fines and penalties. In some cases, employers may also be required to pay back pay or hire the employee in question. They may also be required to post notices informing other employees of their rights under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.