As a society, we espouse many different principles such as “respect your elders.” Yet, in reality such statements are merely slogans or sayings that are simply not put into practice. Rather, our society appears to be focused on youth and staying young, to the detriment of the wisdom gained over time. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the employment context.
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) was enacted to prevent such attitudes from permeating the employment context. ADEA applies to employers with 20 or more employees. ADEA protects employees 40 years of age or older from discrimination on the basis of age in hiring, promotion compensation, termination or other terms and conditions in employment.
Florida has also enacted the Florida Civil Rights Act to protect certain individuals from discrimination. The Florida Civil Rights Act applies to employers with 15 or more employees. It makes it unlawful for an employer to discharge, refuse to hire, or otherwise discriminate against an individual with respect to compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employments because of age.
Many counties also have ordinances that provide additional rights. For example, some counties in Florida have ordinances that also make it unlawful for an employer to discriminate because of an employee’s age.
Victims of age discrimination may be able to obtain reinstatement or monetary damages, as well as, their attorney fees and costs. If you have suffered from age discrimination in the workplace, please contact the employment lawyers at LaBar & Adams, P.A. in Orlando at 407-835-8968 or fill out the online form located on our website.
