Indianapolis Age Discrimination Lawyers Fighting for Your Rights

Most people think of workplace discrimination as something obvious that is easy to recognize. Unfortunately, recognizing workplace discrimination can be tricky for the untrained eye, especially when dealing with age discrimination. It is entirely possible to experience this type of discrimination without even realizing it until later. It may also be hard to prove. This is why clients turn to an age discrimination lawyer to help fight for their rights as an employee.

Call The Law Office of Deidra N. Haynes today at 317-982-7396 for answers to your age discrimination questions.

What is Age Discrimination?

Discrimination of any sort can be hard to recognize and harder to name. The general understanding of age discrimination is discrimination that takes place during a hiring process or during active employment with a company based on the age of the employee. For example, if a company chooses not to hire a qualified candidate based solely on the age of the candidate, this could be discrimination. If a company passes over a more qualified employee of an older age in favor of promoting a less qualified younger employee, this may be a form of age discrimination. One of the more common forms of age discrimination is when a company forces an older employee into retirement, which is just another way of firing an employee or discriminating based on age. Age discrimination may also be workplace harassment based on age. Since not all acts of age discrimination are this easy to spot, hiring an age discrimination lawyer may be helpful in figuring out if you are a victim of this type of workplace discrimination.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act

In an effort to fight discrimination, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)lays the legal groundwork to act as a starting point in defining discrimination. The ADEA applies to certain workplaces such as:

• local and state government agencies
• businesses employing over 20 people
• labor organizations employing over 25 people
• the federal government (excluding elected officials)
• employment agencies

How Does ADEA Protect Workers?

Employers find plenty of subtle ways to discriminate based on age, which is where ADEA comes in. It is not uncommon for companies to post job listings asking for candidates who are recent college graduates. This may be a tactic to ensure younger applicants, which would be against ADEA compliance. There are also certain jobs where there is an age maximum for the position. Putting an age maximum on new hire training programs is another slippery slope the ADEA highlights as a means of age discrimination. Aside from the initial hiring process and new hire training, ADEA also aims to protect workers from being forced into retirement. It is important to note that some careers may have age-related retirement ages for safety reasons, such as airline pilots. Another way this act protects workers is that it specifies that employers must offer the same benefits to employees of all ages. This means that a company must give the same benefits to an older employee as a younger employee. When it comes to putting together a legal case on age discrimination, the ADEA creates a foundation on what discrimination commonly looks like in the workplace.

Do I Need an Age Discrimination Lawyer?

It can be hard to tell if you are the victim of age discrimination in some instances. For the average worker unfamiliar with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, recognizing discrimination isn’t as easy as it sounds. If someone suspects they have experienced this type of discrimination, they should contact an age discrimination lawyer. While it may be possible to represent yourself in court for discrimination, it is important to remember that the company (your employer) most likely has an entire team of lawyers on their side. Even if you are unsure if you need legal counsel for this matter, talking to an experienced age discrimination attorney may be a smart starting point. If nothing else, they will be able to answer questions regarding discrimination for those unfamiliar with ADEA or other similar legal protections for workers.

What Does an Age Discrimination Lawyer Do?

It can be hard to prove an act of workplace age discrimination, which is why an experienced lawyer may be necessary. With the help of an age discrimination attorney familiar with the law, it may be easier to prove that a company has a history of discrimination against older workers. Much like any other lawyer, an age discrimination lawyer will start off by asking questions, listening to the client, and answering any questions the client may have about the process. An age discrimination lawyer will ask for any relevant documents, forms, or required paperwork to help them build a case against the employer or company. They will then represent their client in a court of law for the remainder of the case. In terms of a final solution, the desired outcome will depend on the case. For example, some clients are looking for their job to be reinstated, lost wages to be repaid, or other similar outcomes, while some clients are looking to settle the case. An age discrimination lawyer is focused on winning for their client to help them receive the dignity and respect they deserve in the workforce.

Get the Help You Need Today

Most people spend just as much time, if not more, at work as they do at home. This is just one of the many reasons to fight back against age discrimination in the workplace. We may be able to help. If you have experienced age discrimination at work, call The Law Office of Deidra N. Haynes in Indianapolis at 317-982-7396 to let us fight for your rights as a worker.