California is a state that prides itself on being progressive with employment law, ensuring that all workers are treated equally and fairly regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation or any other factor. Not only are employees legally protected against sexual harassment and wrongful termination, they are protected against discrimination. What California residents may not realize is just how far that discrimination protection extends, and how many issues are covered thanks to California’s employee rights laws.
When most people think of discrimination, they think of prejudices based on another person’s race or sexual orientation. While these are perhaps the most common types of discrimination, they are far from the only types of discrimination. Employees are also protected from disability discrimination, and it may surprise you to learn that it is illegal to discriminate against employees based on their age. This protection is afforded by an Act passed in 1967 called The Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
ADEA makes it illegal to discriminate against individuals who are at least 40 years old based on that individual’s age, and its protections extend not only to employees, but to job applicants as well. It is important to remember that the ADEA only affects employers who employ 20 or more individuals. You can find a detailed explanation of all of the ADEA protections in this article.
If you believe you are suffering from age discrimination at your place of work, or any form of discrimination, it is highly recommended that you meet with an attorney to discuss the circumstances of your case. If you are being treated unfairly at work, the law is on your side. A successful lawsuit could not only ensure that you no longer have to suffer unjust treatment, but could also result in compensation for your suffering.