f you are 40 years of age or older, and you have been harmed by a decision affecting your employment, you may have suffered unlawful age discrimination. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), discussed below at number 2, is a federal law that protects individuals 40 years of age or older from employment discrimination based on age. Here are some examples of potentially unlawful age discrimination:
You didn't get hired because the employer wanted a younger-looking person to do the job.
You received a negative job evaluation because you weren't "flexible" in taking on new projects.
You were fired because your boss wanted to keep younger workers who are paid less.
You were turned down for a promotion, which went to someone younger hired from outside the company, because the boss says the company "needs new blood."
When company layoffs are announced, most of the persons laid off were older, while younger workers with less seniority and less on-the-job experience were kept on.
Before you were fired, your supervisor made age-related remarks about you, such as that you were "over-the-hill," or "ancient."
If any of these things have happened to you on the job, you may have suffered age discrimination.