What Is Age Discrimination?
Aging is a natural part of life that many people celebrate. However, not everyone who grows older feels like they are being respected. Sometimes, job seekers or employees feel as though they are being treated unfairly because of their age. In other words, they worry they are victims of age discrimination.
Typically, age discrimination happens when a job candidate or worker loses opportunities or their livelihood solely because of their age. For instance, a startup company might assume a 55 year old applicant is unable to keep up with the fast-paced world of technology even though the applicant is more qualified than his or her younger counterparts.
What Are Potential Signs of Age Discrimination?
All cases of age discrimination are highly individualized, and incidents vary widely. For that reason, each situation should be carefully examined by an experienced employment lawyer.
The first sign of potential age discrimination in any workforce is the letting go or laying off of only older workers. If the employees who get fired systematically are above a certain age, the reason they are being let go or fired could be age discrimination.
There are different types of evidence that can be used to win an age discrimination case. Sometimes ageist comments are the proof that is needed. Some age comments include statements like:
• We need new or fresh blood
• We need to get rid of dead wood
• We need fresh faces
• “Joe” has lost his fastball
• We need younger people
• We need to hire more millennials
• “Sue” has really slowed down
Having coworkers make snide or sarcastic remarks about a worker’s age could be another possible indicator of age discrimination. Sometimes managers and owners make age related comments about other people and do not make those comments about you. Although, the comments may not be directed at you, it does not mean the comments are unimportant. The comments may show the manager or owner is biased against older workers. This may turn out to be very important information in an age discrimination lawsuit. If they are biased against older people and if you are older it might mean they are biased against you.
Usually the circumstances are the most important evidence. Sometimes an older employee is doing great under one manager or owner. Then a new manager or owner takes over and the same employee suddenly can’t do anything right. At times, new managers or owners bring their bias against older workers with them and older workers are the target. The first sign of potential age discrimination in any workforce is the letting go or laying off of only older workers. If the employees who get fired systematically are above a certain age, the reason they are being let go or fired could be age discrimination.
Finally, many people who have won age discrimination cases were able to show that they started getting bad reviews and receiving demotions after they reached a certain age, despite the quality of their work remaining high.
Mount Laurel Employment Discrimination Lawyers at The Law Offices of Leo B. Dubler, III, LLC Fight for Victims of Workplace Age Discrimination
Are there comments age related made in the workplace -even if they are not directed at you? Are older workers treated differently and worse than younger employees? Instead of worrying that you might be let go or thinking that you have no recourse, contact the compassionate Mount Laurel employment discrimination lawyers at The Law Offices of Leo B. Dubler, III, LLC. We will listen to your situation and give advice based on our years of legal experience. Our team has offices conveniently located in Mount Laurel and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Call 856-235-7075 or complete an online contact form to set up a free and confidential initial consultation. We welcome the chance to help victims of age discrimination from around the region, including those in Cherry Hill, Burlington County, Camden County, and South Jersey.