Age discrimination is a reality in workplaces in Connecticut. Despite laws prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of age, it continues to happen every day. If you are a victim of age discrimination, you need to know your rights.
What is age discrimination?
Age discrimination is when an employee gets treated differently or unfairly in the workplace because of their age. This can include getting passed over for a promotion, getting fired or receiving unfair treatment. In many workplaces, age discrimination is subtle and difficult to prove.
What employment laws protect against age discrimination?
There are two employment laws that protect people against employment discrimination on the basis of age: The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These laws cover all employers with at least 20 employees, including state and local governments.
Under the ADEA, employment policies that discriminate against people based on age are illegal. This means that companies should not force employees to retire at a certain age unless they can prove it is necessary for their business operations or safety concerns. Per employment law, any employment policy that adversely affects older workers more than younger workers is also illegal.
What should I do if I am a victim of age discrimination?
If you believe you are a victim of age discrimination, the first step is to file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC may investigate your claim and determine whether or not it has merit. If not, you will receive a Right to Sue letter which allows you to file a lawsuit against your employer for employment discrimination.
Just remember that it is important to act quickly. Claims of employment discrimination must get filed with the EEOC within 180 days or 300 days, depending on whether a state anti-discrimination agency also has jurisdiction. The statute of limitations for bringing a lawsuit is 90 days after receiving your Right to Sue letter from the EEOC.
If you believe you are the victim of employment discrimination, it’s important to understand the process and your rights. It’s possible to receive compensation for the discrimination you’ve suffered, but you must act quickly.