Age Discrimination
If you feel you are being overlooked for promotions in your position at work, or are not being considered for a job because of your age, you may be a victim of age discrimination. Age discrimination is sadly a common occurrence in America, and more than 10,000 age discrimination claims were filed in 2006.
Age Discrimination Issues
Age discrimination includes, but is not limited to, the following issues:
- Losing your job due to your age or missing a promotion
- Being disqualified as a job candidate based on your age
- Becoming laid off of work as a result of your age
- Losing your job so a younger worker may be hired
- Being denied healthcare and/or pensions because of your age
Often times these offenses present themselves when a job is lost due to "corporate reorganization" or "downsizing". Age discrimination can also be found in off-colored comments about a worker's age. If you have found yourself in any of these situations, you may have a case for age discrimination.
Age discrimination is prohibited by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). This act protects those who are age forty and over from employment discrimination based on age. ADEA strictly prohibits employers for firing, refusing to hire, or treating those age forty and over differently from other employees.
About the ADEA
In addition to protecting current employees and applicants, the ADEA applies to:
- Apprenticeship Programs
- Benefits
- Job Notices and Advertisements
- Pre-Employment Inquiries
More Information about Age Discrimination
The Age Discrimination Act specifically applies to employers with twenty or more employees and those aged forty or over. However, Minnesota has a similar act in place to protect workers based on age. This act is called the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) and also prevents against firings, refusal of hiring, refusal of benefits, and other age related discriminatory actions against workers.
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