Are employers allowed to set different standards or expectations for employees based on their age?

In Virginia, employers are not allowed to set different standards or expectations for employees based on their age, as this may constitute age discrimination. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) prohibits employers from discriminating against any employee 40 years or older in any aspect of employment, such as wages, promotions, or hiring. Virginia also enforces its own version of the ADEA, further protecting individuals from age discrimination in the workplace. Employers in Virginia are only allowed to set different expectations or standards for employees based on their merit, job performance, and experience. This means that an employer may not fire or refuse to hire an individual simply because they are older than other applicants or employees. Additionally, an employer is not allowed to pay an older employee less than a younger employee for the same job or to deny an older employee the same job benefits or promotions that a younger employee may receive. If an employer does set different standards or expectations for employees based on age in violation of the ADEA, the employee can file an age discrimination claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC can help resolve the issue and may award the employee with monetary damages if the employer is found guilty of age discrimination.

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Are employers allowed to set different standards or expectations for employees based on their age?

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