Regardless of your age, you may have concerns or questions about age discrimination in the workplace. What can be considered age discrimination in Florida? What does the law allow or not allow? Discrimination against a person based upon age can be a violation of civil rights just like sexual discrimination or other actions.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission provides information about this for employers and employees. Perhaps one of the most important elements of the federal law in this area to note is that employees 39 years old and younger are not covered. Age discrimination is only identified against people 40 years old and more. Additionally, it is legal for companies to favor workers of any age. Discrimination pertains particularly to situations in which age is the basis for negative actions to take place or hostile environments to develop.
The EEOC indicates that occasional comments or even jokes about a person’s age are not necessarily illegal. However, when such statements continue repeatedly, what may have started on a small scale could become a serious problem. Situations can pertain to various aspects of a person’s employment including being hired, promoted, terminated or laid off. Job duties, compensation and training can also be related to a discriminatory situation.
Harassment does not always have to be initiated by management and even a client or customer can be accused of harassment against someone. You can learn more about age discrimination and other civil rights violations and laws in Florida at our corporate law website.
