There are various federal and state laws that prohibit workplace discrimination, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Pay Act. These laws make it illegal to discriminate against employees based on their race, religion, color, sex, national origin, disability, and age. Though many of these categories have garnered significant media attention and well-publicized legal ramifications, a new trend in age discrimination is coming to light.
Survey Targets Workplace Ageism
A recent survey by GOBankingRates explored the topic of workplace ageism by surveying over 500 workers who were aged 45 and older. They were asked if they thought their age affected their ability to obtain jobs or promotions. The data showed that 11 percent of American workers over 45 felt they had been treated unfairly based on their age by employers.
Additional questions focused on how they were treated at work. It turned out that the older the employee was, the higher the likelihood that they perceived unfair treatment based on their age. About half of the respondents that were aged 65 and older said they experienced age discrimination. Forty-three percent of workers aged 55 to 64 felt the same and 39 percent of workers aged 45 to 54 agreed.
Respondents that experienced discrimination were more inclined to believe that the practice was commonplace. Over half of these workers stated that ageism was a common practice. A similar survey by AARP revealed that 61 percent had directly experienced or witnessed workplace ageism, with 38 percent of workers stating that it felt common.
When Ageism Starts
The GOBankingRates survey asked participants when they thought employees started to experience ageism. Seven percent answered that discrimination started at age 40, 22 percent felt that it began between the ages of 50 to 54, 20 percent thought it was from age 55 to 59, and 19 percent responded that it was from age 60 to 64. These responses varied based on the participant’s age. Female respondents were less likely to think that ageism began at a younger age. The survey data also showed that more men felt they had experienced ageism than women at age 40; 11 percent of male respondents had experienced it, while six percent of females did.
The Age Discrimination Act
The federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects employees that are 40 years old and older from job discrimination based on their age. This includes job assignments, compensation, promotions, hiring, and firing. In addition, it prohibits companies from retaliating against any employee or job applicant for asserting their rights under the ADEA.
This law applies to companies that have 20 or more employees, labor unions, employment agencies, interstate agencies, and the federal government. Employees that face ageism can assert their rights via the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Philadelphia Age Discrimination Lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. Protect Workers from Workplace Discrimination
If you experienced any type of discrimination at work, the Philadelphia age discrimination lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. can help. We will fight for your rights and obtain the justice you deserve. Call us today at 215-569-1999 or contact us online for a free consultation today. Located in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey, we help clients throughout Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and South Jersey.
