Age Discrimination
Your work experience is meaningful and valuable. When employers disregard your qualifications in favor of hiring or promoting a younger, less qualified worker, your financial security could be threatened. We represent workers who are pushed out of jobs, passed over for promotions they deserve, denied benefits or otherwise treated unfairly because of their age.
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects workers who are 40 years of age and older from employment discrimination based on age. If you believe you have been the target of age discrimination, it is important to document the instances in which you were treated unfairly. Discrimination may exist in the form of actions or policies related to:
- Retirement — With few exceptions, it is illegal for an employer to force an employee to retire at a certain age.
- Hiring and promotion — Generally, age preferences or limitations cannot be included in job listings, and employers cannot make hiring, firing, promotion, training or job assignment decisions that discriminate against older workers.
- Pay and benefits — It is unlawful for employers to determine a worker’s compensation based on their age. Likewise, employers who provide lesser benefits to older workers may violate the ADEA.
- Harassment — Offensive, derogatory and pervasive age-related comments can foster a hostile work environment or result in negative employment decisions. Age harassment in the workplace is illegal under the guidelines of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Many states offer additional protections to employees alleging age discrimination. To ensure that you are aware of the protections and rights available to you in Connecticut, contact an experienced employment law attorney.
