When an employee is being discriminated against in the workplace, it can affect their productivity, mental health and social interactions with their other team members. One usual form of this is ageism; where their employer or manager treats them differently due to how young or old they are.
Here are two common indicators of age discrimination and how employees can recognize them.
Unequal pay
Most businesses have a biased perception that hiring younger applicants can lead to better work performance and productivity rates. Because of such beliefs, they may assume that an old applicant will offer less to the company and hence provide them with lower starting salaries.
When employers and their management use age as a primary factor for deciding an applicant’s wages and benefits, it can be a sign that they are violating the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).
Decreased opportunities
When managers form poor assumptions about a team member’s potential because of their age, they may exclude them from opportunities that can help them grow professionally. Three common examples of this are not being invited to team meetings, being offered fewer training sessions and being denied a promotion.
How employees can protect their rights
The ADEA prohibits businesses from discriminating against employees aged 40 and older. This act protects such individuals from discrimination in various aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion and termination.
Any employee who experiences ageism from their employer or manager may file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to inform them of their circumstances.
This act will then trigger an investigation, followed by a notice informing the employee of their right to sue for damages. The employee must file their lawsuit within 90 days after receiving this notice, as missing this deadline can lead to the dismissal of their case.
By documenting their age-related mistreatment at work and hiring a lawyer who can listen to their story, they can protect their rights and receive prompt help for their claims process without going through any legal issues.