When you are at your job, you have the right to expect proper treatment from your Florida employer and others with whom you work. If you are an older employee, you know that can be challenging, as some older employees may face different forms of discrimination while at work. Age discrimination is a real problem in many workplaces, and victims do not have to stay silent about what they experienced.
If you are a victim of age discrimination in your place of work, you have the right to speak out about your experience. It is possible to hold your employer and other parties accountable for discriminatory treatment, and you may have the option to pursue appropriate compensation. It is in your best interests to learn about the signs of age discrimination and what steps to take if you believe that you are a victim.
The protections provided to older employees
There are federal laws that provide you with protection as an older employee. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act prohibits discrimination against employees who are 40 or older. Age discrimination counts as any type of mistreatment on the basis of one’s age at any stage of the employment process, including hiring, firing decisions, promotion opportunities and more. It can also occur if an employer makes one’s age a condition for employment or for benefits of employment.
You may be a victim of age discrimination if you experienced mistreatment because you were older. Perhaps you were passed over for a deserved promotion, or maybe your employer reduced the health benefits available to you while keeping other employees’ benefits the same. Older workers might also sometimes face harassment, which can include derogatory remarks or other actions that lead to the development of a hostile work environment.
What can you do if you are a victim?
If you are the victim of age discrimination, you will benefit from learning about the legal options available to you. Discriminatory treatment is against both state and federal employment laws, and there are ways that you can make the mistreatment stop and hold responsible parties accountable.
It is in your best interests to take quick action to learn more about your rights as a victim. An assessment of your case can help you determine if what you experienced counts as discrimination and what your next steps should be. With the proper course of action, you can significantly increase the odds of receiving damages, including any back pay and lost benefits rightfully owed to you.
