Financial considerations and healthy lifestyles have encouraged many older workers to delay retirement. Since baby boomers comprise the largest population group in the U.S., age discrimination in the workplace has increasingly emerged as a problem with serious consequences for older employees.
Potential signs of illegal conduct by an employer may include job recruitment materials that feature a youthful workforce or questionable references to your age during an interview.
Fortunately, for older employees, the state of Florida and federal laws protect you against discrimination based on your age.
State of Florida legal protection: The Florida Civil Rights Act
The Florida Civil Rights Act prohibits employers from discriminating against an individual based on age. Violations of The Florida Civil Rights Act include:
- Unlawful termination
- Refusal to hire
- Denial of compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment
- Depriving employees or applicants of employment opportunities
Federal legal protection: The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, or ADEA, is a federal law that forbids discrimination against individuals who are 40 years or older.
The ADEA defines the following actions by employers as discriminatory:
- Assigning menial tasks to older workers
- Denial of promotions
- Preventing access to benefits
- Harassment leading to a hostile work environment or termination
- Retaliation following an employee’s age discrimination complaint
All employees deserve equal access to employment opportunities.
If you are an older employee, educating yourself about age discrimination will enable you to protect your rights. If you have specific questions, reaching out to an attorneys who knows the laws and how they could apply to you is advised.