How to Fight Age Discrimination

Age discrimination occurs when a person receives different treatment because of their age. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 protects employees and applicants in the United States, 40 or over, from age discrimination in any aspect of work. If you were refused employment, fired or not given a benefit and you believe that age was the factor then you may have experienced age discrimination at work. You can fight it by filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Read on to learn how to fight age discrimination.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Document the following information: 1) the name, address and phone number of the person filing the charge of age discrimination; 2) the name, address and phone number of the company, agency or union the charge is being filed against; 3) a description of the events that led to the accusation; 4) the date when the events occurred; 5) the contact information of any witnesses; 6) whether the person filing the charge has filed the same or a similar charge with a local or state fair employment practice agency; and 7) the name, address and telephone number of a person who knows how to contact the accuser.
2. Locate an EEOC office nearest you. To find an EEOC office in the US, visit the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website. See the Resources section below for a link.
3. File the age discrimination charge in person. Before visiting the office, phone and make an appointment. Bring with you the information you prepared in Step 1.
4. File the charge by mail. You may obtain EEOC addresses by visiting the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website. The letter must contain all the information documented at Step 1.

Tips & Warnings

• In the fiscal year 2004 the EEOC received 17,837 charges. In the same year it resolved 15,792 age discrimination cases and restored $60 million in benefits to the parties that filed the charges and other individuals treated unjustly. This figure does not include monetary benefits acquired by litigation.
• Each country has its own equivalent of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission where charges can be filed.
• The Age Discrimination Act does not prohibit employers from asking an applicant their age or date of birth.