What is the Age Discrimination in Employment Act?
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) is a federal law that was created to protect individuals aged 40 or older from being discriminated against in the workplace. In Virginia, it is illegal for employers to make decisions such as hiring, firing, promoting, or demoting an individual on the basis of age. The ADEA has a broad scope and applies to most types of employment, including private, federal, and state employers that have more than 20 employees. In addition, the law prohibits employers from using age as a reason to deny benefits such as vacation time, health insurance, or pensions. In addition to protecting older workers from discrimination, the ADEA also prohibits employers from setting different standards for workers based on age. For example, employers cannot require higher physical abilities of employees that are over the age of 40. Though the ADEA does provide protection for people 40 years old and up, employers can still terminate or demote an employee based on their level of performance, as long as the decision is not based on age. This means that employers are allowed to expect a certain amount of productivity from all employees, regardless of their age. The ADEA is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which is responsible for investigating any violations of the law. If you believe that you have been discriminated against based on your age, you are encouraged to contact the EEOC for assistance in filing a complaint.
Related FAQs
How do civil rights laws protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation?What remedies exist for race discrimination in schools?
What is the legal standard for a hostile work environment?
What are the civil rights of individuals subjected to profiling for racial or ethnic reasons?
What remedies exist for sex discrimination in the workplace?
What are civil rights protections against unfair labor practices?
What is the scope of civil rights remedies?
What rights do prisoners have under civil rights laws?
What is the Religious Freedom Restoration Act?
What are the civil rights of immigrants in the United States?
Related Blog Posts
Understanding Your Rights under Civil Rights Law: A Guide - July 31, 2023Unpacking the Components of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act - August 7, 2023
Comprehending Employment Discrimination: A Civil Rights Law Primer - August 14, 2023
Uncovering Unlawful Harassment in the Workplace - August 21, 2023
Combatting Workplace Discrimination through Civil Rights Law - August 28, 2023