If you have been discriminated against by your employer because of your age, or if you have suffered discriminatory actions at the hands of fellow colleagues and your employer fails to improve the situation, then you may have an age discrimination claim on your hands. Notably, both New York and federal laws protect employees against age discrimination in the workplace. Read on to discover whether your experience is considered age discrimination and how a seasoned New York discrimination lawyer at Bell Law Group can come to your defense.
What New York and federal laws protect against age discrimination in the workplace?
The United States passed the Age Discrimination in Employment Act in 1967 to give employees rights regarding age discrimination in the workplace. However, only the following categories of employees are protected:
- Employees who are 40 years old and older who work for:
- A private company with 20 or more employees.
- A federal, state, or local government entity.
- A labor organization.
- An employment agency.
Rest assured, New York state and city laws are more expansive in the categories of employees they protect. They read as follows:
- Employees of any age who work for:
- A private company with four or more employees.
- A state or local government entity.
- A labor organization.
- An employment agency.
- An independent contractor.
What common examples are considered age discrimination in the workplace?
The following are the most common examples of age discrimination in the workplace:
- If you were laid off or terminated from your job because of your age.
- If you were denied a promotion because of your age.
- If you were demoted from your position because of your age.
- If you were denied certain company benefits because of your age.
- If you were harassed by your employer or colleagues because of your age.
- If you received retaliation from your employer or colleagues for complaining or filing an age discrimination charge.
If any of the above scenarios apply to you, then you must bring attention to your age discrimination claim. Importantly, if you wish to preserve your claim under state law, you must file with New York’s Office for Civil Rights within 180 days of the date you were discriminated against. And if you wish to preserve your claim under federal law, you must file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission within 300 days of the date you were discriminated against. For assistance, contact a competent New York employee rights lawyer today.
CONTACT THE BELL LAW GROUP, PLLC TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS
If your employer has possibly committed wage and hour violations, you need to hire an attorney who understands all of the applicable state and federal employment laws. At Bell Law Group, PLLC, our attorneys are experienced in private employment claims. We offer a free strategy session and have offices in New York, Florida, and Washington, D.C. To schedule your consultation, call 855-566-2355 or contact us.
