Workers in Delaware and other states are protected under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, or ADEA. This legislation helps to protect those over the age of 40 years old from discrimination at their workplace due to their age. Understanding these protections can assist you in identifying what to do if you’re experiencing this type of discrimination.
What rights does the ADEA grant?
One of the biggest rights that the ADEA grants is the right to be free from wrongful termination due to a person’s age. Those who are over 40 years of age are protected from adverse actions like not hiring, firing, relocating or decreasing pay due to their age. The ADEA is enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC for short.
It’s crucial to note that this particular federal law applies to both public and private businesses. However, they must have at least 20 workers. Any employer who doesn’t meet these requirements may not be held liable under the ADEA.
The point of the ADEA
The purpose behind the ADEA is to eliminate the biases that are present when it comes to employing individuals over the age of 40. This law should help employers base hiring, firing and other related decisions based on an applicant’s abilities instead of their age. This allows people of all ages to be eligible for advancement in their careers without fear of repercussions.
Traditionally, the workplace environment for those over 40 years old was more difficult. Thankfully, these employees are now covered under the ADEA. A person over the age of 40 years old can seek legal retribution if their rights are violated by an employer.
