Many people still consider the millennial generation to be the young adults of the workforce. However, as of January 2021, the oldest millennials (born in 1981) will begin turning 40. This makes it possible for them to begin experiencing age discrimination at work.
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967 protects employees age 40 and over from discriminatory actions by employers. In some situations, companies want to force out older employees to bring in younger ones who might demand lower pay and be willing to work longer hours. In addition, some tech companies or startups try to keep their workforces young, but it is unlawful to fire someone based solely on their age if they are over 40.
It can be difficult to recognize the signs of age discrimination, but some might include:
- You are left out of meetings or planning sessions you used to attend
- You are given fewer work responsibilities, or your tasks are transferred to younger employees
- Your employer makes comments about your age or points out age discrepancies between you and others
- You are laid off due to “budget cuts” or a similar reason, yet your position is filled by a younger person
While most 40-year-olds might never experience age discrimination, it is certainly possible, especially in certain industries. If you believe you have been the victim of age discrimination or harassment at work, you should let an experienced employment discrimination lawyer in Atlanta review your situation and advise you of your rights.
Contact an Employment Discrimination Lawyer in Atlanta
At Battleson Law, LLC, we work to help clients who experienced any type of unlawful discrimination, including age discrimination. We work to hold employers accountable for unlawful conduct and losses of employees, so please contact us online or call 404.382.8149 for more information today.