If you believe you are facing discrimination in the workplace as a result of your age, read on to learn more about the steps you should take.

What is the Age Discrimination in Employment Act?

In 1967, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act was made official. This act essentially gives employees rights regarding discrimination in the workplace as a result of age. The Act states that employees who are over the age of 40 and work for private employees with at least 20 employees, as well as employees who are over the age of 40 work for the federal, state, or local government, labor organizations, or employment agencies, are protected from discrimination due to their age.

What Constitutes Age Discrimination?

Discrimination can look very different, and it may be hard to spot. As a result, it is important to know what qualifies as discrimination. Some of the acts that qualify as discrimination are as follows:

• It may be classified as discrimination when employers include certain age specifications in job postings or applications. However, this is not always discrimination, so you should speak with an attorney before taking action.
• Employers using an employee’s age as a reason to fire them.
• Employers harassing certain employees due to their age, such as making certain rude comments about their age.
• Employers asking pre-employment questions regarding a potential employee’s age.
• Employers openly favoring younger workers over older ones, such as solely giving younger workers promotions or demoting older employees for no apparent reason.
• Employers retaliating against an employee after the employee filed an age discrimination charge against them.

If you believe you are the victim of any of the above actions, it is important to reach out to an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

How Long do I Have to Make an Age Discrimination Claim Against my Employer?

Those who believe they have been discriminated against because of their age will have to take legal action through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission within 180 days of the date the act of discrimination occurred. However, if you are a federal employee, different rules apply, and you will only have 45 days from the date of the incident to speak with an Equal Employment Opportunity counselor.

No one should face discrimination in the workplace. Contact our firm today to speak with a dedicated employment lawyer.

CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED GEORGIA FIRM

If you need help with an employment law matter in the state of Georgia, you can count on Ben Barrett Law to effectively represent your interests. With over 30 years of experience, Attorney Barrett has the skill and experience necessary to help you navigate the complexities of any employment law matter you may be facing. To discuss your case with a legal team you can trust, please do not hesitate to contact Ben Barrett Law today.