The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1976 (ADEA) protects applicants and employees who are 40 years of age or older from employment discrimination based on age.
The ADEA applies to private employers with 20 or more employees, state and local governments, employment agencies, labor organizations and the federal government.
Actions prohibited by the ADEA
Under the ADEA, it is unlawful to discriminate against a person because of his or her age with respect to any term, condition or privilege of employment, including hiring, firing, promotion, layoff, compensation, benefits, job assignments and training. Harassing an older worker because of age is also prohibited.
It is also unlawful to retaliate against an individual for opposing employment practices that discriminate based on age or for filing an age discrimination charge, testifying, or participating in any way in an investigation, proceeding, or litigation under the ADEA.
The ADEA permits employers to favor older workers based on age even when doing so adversely affects a younger worker who is 40 or older.
ADEA protections also include:
Advertisements and job notices
The ADEA generally makes it unlawful to include age preferences, limitations or specifications in job notices or advertisements. A job notice or advertisement may specify an age limit only in the rare circumstances where age is shown to be a "bona fide occupational qualification" (BFOQ) reasonably necessary for the regular operation of the business.Apprenticeship programs
It is generally unlawful for apprenticeship programs, including joint labor-management apprenticeship programs, to discriminate on the basis of an individual's age. Age limitations in apprenticeship programs are valid only if they fall within certain exceptions under the ADEA or the EEOC grants a specific exemption.Pre-employment inquiries
The ADEA does not explicitly prohibit an employer from asking an applicant's age or date of birth. However, such inquiries may deter older workers from applying for employment or may otherwise indicate possible intent to discriminate based on age, contrary to the purposes of the ADEA. If the information is needed for a lawful purpose, it can be obtained after the employee is hired.Benefits
The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990 (OWBPA) amended the ADEA to specifically prohibit employers from denying benefits to older employees. Congress recognized that the cost of providing certain benefits to older workers is greater than the cost of providing those same benefits to younger workers, and that those greater costs might create a disincentive to hire older workers. In limited circumstances, an employer may be permitted to reduce certain benefits based on age, as long as the cost the employer incurs to provide those benefits to older workers is no less than the cost of providing the benefits to younger workers.
Employers are permitted to coordinate retiree health benefit plans with eligibility for Medicare or a comparable state-sponsored health benefit.Waivers of ADEA claims or rights
The ADEA sets specific requirements that permit waivers of claims or rights in certain circumstances. Waivers are common in settling discrimination claims or in connection with exit incentives or other employment termination programs. The waiver must meet minimum standards to be considered knowing and voluntary to be valid. Among other requirements, a valid ADEA waiver must:Be in writing and be understandable
Specifically refer to ADEA rights or claims
Not waive rights or claims that may arise in the future
Be in exchange for valuable consideration in addition to anything of value to which the individual already is entitled
Advise the individual in writing to consult an attorney before signing the waiver
Provide the individual with a certain amount of time to consider the agreement before signing:
For individual agreements, at least 21 days
For "group" waiver agreements, at least 45 days
For settlements of ADEA discrimination claims, a "reasonable" amount of time
If an employer requests an ADEA waiver in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program involving a group, the minimum requirements for a valid waiver are more extensive.
Source: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
