The Law Protects Older Workers in California

There are state and federal laws that provide legal protection to older workers. The federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects certain applicants and employees 40 years of age and older from discrimination on the basis of age in hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, or terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.

Congress passed the ADEA to address the practice of employment discrimination against older workers, and especially to redress the difficulty such workers faced in obtaining new employment after being displaced from their jobs. The ADEA also addresses arbitrary age limits that were common at the time of its passage and embodies a congressional recognition that older workers are particularly at risk for long-term unemployment and its undesirable results: deterioration of skills, low morale, and employer acceptability.

In much the same way, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) makes it illegal for most employers to discriminate against job applicants and employees because of a protected category, including age. Although the FEHA differs from the ADEA in certain respects, their objectives are identical. The FEHA is designed to supplement, not supplant or be supplanted by, existing anti-discrimination remedies, in order to give employees the maximum opportunity to vindicate their civil rights against discrimination.

What Age Group is Protected?

While there may be many different age groups of employees who are discriminated against in the workplace by virtue of their age, the law provides protection only to those 40 years of age and older.

Contact an Age Discrimination Lawyer for a Free Case Evaluation

Employees who feel discriminated against in the workplace due to age can contact Akopyan Law Firm A.P.C. for advice. We offer a complimentary case evaluation and contingency fee services. Our case results and testimonials speak to our expertise.