At Mehtani Law Offices, P.C., P.C, our Beverly Hills employment law attorneys know age discrimination is illegal in California workplaces and those across the country.
The federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) in California protect employees ages 40 and over throughout the state from being discriminated against in the workplace because of their ages.
Here, we discuss some of the most common signs of California workplace age discrimination so employees can understand when it may be time to seek legal help for their protected characteristics.
Common Signs You May Be Suffering from California Workplace Age Discrimination
It is important to note that age discrimination can appear in different forms in the California workplace and occur during any part of the employment process, including hiring, promotions, or termination processes.
Some of the most common signs may include, but are not limited to:
- Inappropriate Job Advertisements
Job postings explicitly stating a preference for younger candidates or using age-specific language may violate anti-discrimination laws.
- Age-Related Stereotyping
Making assumptions about an employee’s abilities, skills, or performance based on age rather than merit can be discriminatory.
- Biased Comments or Jokes
Inappropriate comments or jokes about a person’s age can indicate discrimination. This may include derogatory remarks or stereotypes related to an individual’s age.
- Denial of Training Opportunities
If older employees are consistently denied access to training and professional development opportunities offered to younger employees, it could indicate age discrimination.
- Disparate Impact
If employment practices, such as hiring criteria or performance evaluations, disproportionately affect older workers, even unintentionally, it may still be considered age discrimination.
- Exclusion from Meetings or Social Activities
If older employees are consistently excluded from work-related meetings, events, or social activities, it could indicate age discrimination.
- Unequal Treatment
If older employees are treated less favorably than their younger counterparts in terms of promotions, job assignments, or other employment opportunities, it may be a sign of age discrimination.
- Unfair Policies
Some workplace policies may disproportionately impact older workers. For example, mandatory retirement ages or policies requiring employees to undergo physical exams irrelevant to the job may be discriminatory.
- Layoffs or Job Elimination Targeting Older Workers
If there is a pattern of layoffs or job eliminations that disproportionately affect older employees, it may raise concerns about age discrimination.
- Retaliation
Employees who speak out against age discrimination or file complaints should not face retaliation. Retaliatory actions, like demotions or terminations, may indicate a violation of anti-discrimination laws.
It is essential for California employees who suspect age discrimination to document instances of discriminatory behavior, report concerns through appropriate channels within the company, and seek legal advice immediately. We can help.
Contact Our Experienced Age Discrimination Attorneys in Beverly Hills, California Today
If you believe you are being discriminated against in your California workplace, contact our skilled employment lawyers in Los Angeles County at (310)-776-3590 at Mehtani Law Offices, P.C., P.C to schedule a free consultation today to discuss your unique circumstances with a law firm that can help pursue real results for your case.