Age Discrimination

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 added age as a protected class under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Today, workers age 40 and over are protected from discrimination in the workplace due to their ages.

Older workers can face many challenges in the workplace. One of these is prejudices about their capability to adapt to new technologies and workplace routines. Another is their perceived unwillingness to work with younger supervisors or colleagues. When an employer denies an employee a certain benefit or opportunity because of his or her age, the employee is a victim of age discrimination.

Examples of Age Discrimination

Many of the actions that can constitute gender, religion, or race discrimination can also be committed as acts of age discrimination. There are also unique ways older workers can experience discrimination in the workplace.

Examples of age discrimination that can occur in the workplace include:

• Passing over an older individual for a promotion or refusing to hire individuals over a certain age;
• Leaving older individuals out of projects, initiatives, and professional development opportunities;
• Harassing older individuals with inappropriate jokes and comments;
• Denying older workers certain benefits that younger workers receive; and
• Pressuring older employees to retire or terminating older employees who do not retire at an expected date.

What to Do if you Face Age Discrimination

Do not simply assume that there is nothing you can do about the treatment you face. You can – and should – report all instances of discrimination you face to your supervisor and your company’s Human Resources department. If you cannot have your issues corrected with these parties, consider filing an age discrimination claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Save all evidence you have of the discrimination you faced. You will need it to support your discrimination claim. This body of evidence can include:

• Dated documentation of interactions where you felt you faced discrimination because of your age;
• Printed emails, messages, and other online documents that demonstrate the discrimination;
• A copy of your complaint with Human Resources regarding the discrimination;
• Testimonies from your coworkers about the discrimination; and
• Any other evidence that you feel helps your claim, such as who was chosen for the position you did not receive.

After filing your claim with the EEOC, the agency will investigate your case to determine if discrimination occurred and if so, the most effective way to remedy the issue. If it finds you suffered financial damages because of the discrimination, it could facilitate a settlement for you. If you cannot reach a settlement with your employer, you can file a discrimination lawsuit to have the court rule on your case.

Work with an Experienced Chicago Employment Lawyer

Age discrimination hurts workers of all ages. If you are a victim of age discrimination, do not simply allow it to continue to hamper your career. Contact The Law Office of Mitchell A. Kline today to set up your initial consultation with an experienced age discrimination lawyer who can help you file your claim and pursue the compensation you deserve for your discrimination-related damages.