Age Discrimination​

Federal law (and most state laws) make unlawful for an employer to fail/refuse to hire or to discharge any individual or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual’s age.  The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) applies to workers who are 40 years-old or older, working for companies with 20 or more employees.  The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act also prohibits age discrimination and applies to companies with four or more employees.  The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination applies to all New Jersey Employers, regardless of size.  The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act also makes it illegal for an employer to provide better pay and benefits to younger employees.  The District of Columbia Human Rights Act prohibits age discrimination against workers in Washington, D.C.

As with many federal discrimination laws, the ADEA requires that the employee first file a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the state agency.  The time limit to file a charge is short, either 180 days or 300 days depending on the claims.

Legal Help for Age Discrimination Victims

Age discrimination takes many forms, from interview questions about a job-applicant’s age, to forced severance agreements to lay off an older work force.  If you believe you have been treated differently at work because of your age, contact Klaproth Law’s Philadelphia Lawyers and Washington, D.C. Lawyers to schedule a free, consultation