Nobody should have to worry about being discriminated against in the workplace for any reason. This is why the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has federal and state laws in place to protect employees from facing unfair treatment on the basis of their gender, race, age, orientation, religion, and more. The federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) was enacted in 1967 to prohibit employers from discriminating against certain employees for their age. However, some younger employees wonder how age discrimination laws can apply to them. Our knowledgeable law firm has all the answers you need. To learn more, continue reading this blog or reach out to an Atlanta Age Discrimination Attorney for individualized legal counseling.
ARE YOUNGER EMPLOYEES PROTECTED BY AGE DISCRIMINATION LAWS?
Unfortunately, the ADEA does not protect employees under the age of 40. This means that you cannot file an age discrimination claim if you are younger than 40. However, younger employees are protected from harassment and other discrimination laws. If you feel you are being treated unfairly at work, speak with a lawyer to see if you have a valid claim. You might be able to file with the EEOC.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I’M BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST?
If you feel that you are being unfairly discriminated against for your age at work and you qualify for ADEA protections, you may be able to file a discrimination claim against your employer. You should contact a lawyer as soon as possible to figure out if you have a valid claim. You can file a lawsuit against your employer, but we recommend filing a claim with the EEOC first. You’ll need to file a charge with the nearest EEOC office within 180 days of the discrimination incident. Then, you can expect the EEOC to send a notice of the complaint to your employer within 10 days of filing. To determine whether your discrimination claim is valid, the EEOC will need to find a cause to support the allegation. If there’s no cause, you can file a lawsuit. If there’s no cause, the EEOC will begin a conciliation process between you and your employer to reach a settlement agreement.
Have you recently faced discrimination at your job? You might want to speak with an employment law attorney who can help you to determine your best options. Thankfully, Ben Barrett Law is on your side! Contact our highly experienced team today for an initial consultation.
