Employment Lawyers Fight Against Ageism in the Workplace  

While many people are well informed about the lingering (and sometimes blatant) presence of racism and sexism in the workplace, it is not uncommon of ageism to get forgotten and swept under the rug. Ageism is not a new phenomenon by any means. Regardless, employment lawyers know that there are still many battles to be fought when it comes to equal rights in the workplace for people of all ages. The Law Office of Perry Pinon can help.

What is Ageism?

Robert Butler coined the word “ageism” in 1969. He used this term to describe the growing, harmful tendency for people to discriminate against individuals or groups as a result of their age. Ageism begins with unfair stereotyping. It ends with unfair treatment. Ageism can also wreak havoc on the workplace and society as a whole if not kept in check.

What Do the Statistics Indicate?

According to the U.S. Census, 20 percent of the American population will be over the age of sixty five years old by the year 2030. The growing population of Americans aged sixty or older battle ageism in the form of insensitive stereotypes and decreased employment opportunities. In a survey of people aged sixty and older conducted at Duke University, in fact, 80 percent of the participants reported that they had experienced ageism in their social lives.

Ageism has also slowly creeped into the workplace. Between January of 2000 and December of 2009, the number of unemployed Americans aged fifty five and older increased 300 percent!  That number clearly represents far more people than the amount who willingly choose to retire. It is indicative of the prevalence of ageism in the United States.

What Legislation Protect People from Ageism?

In 1967, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) was passed. Working in conjunction with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the act prohibits job discrimination based on age. This includes layoffs, composition, job assignments, hiring, firing, benefits, and training. With age discrimination in the workplace beginning as early as forty years old, the ADEA protects individuals aged forty and older.

How Do Employment Lawyers Fight against Age Discrimination?

While the Age Discrimination Act of 1967 ended some of the more obvious forms of age discrimination in the workplace, stereotypes and prejudices still persist in the underlying currents of many organizational cultures. When age discrimination surfaces, employment lawyers spare nothing to fight for the civil rights of the affected demographic. Since the Law Office of Perry Piñón specializes in employment law litigation, we can help. If you are on the hunt for employment lawyers to represent you during a discrimination case, Perry Piñón is available to assist you!