Age discrimination is the most common form of discrimination in the workplace.
Employees do not always recognize it when it happens. However, it is illegal under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act.
Examples Of Age Discrimination
Some examples of possible age discrimination in the workplace include:
- Isolating older workers in the workplace
- Falsely accusing older employees of performing poorly
- Hiring a disproportionate number of young employees
- Using jokes or teasing to harass older employees
- Offering older employees no chance to advance
- Targeting older employees during necessary staff reductions
This is not a comprehensive list. Sometimes mandatory retirement ages are also a form of age discrimination. If your company asks you to sign documents regarding mandatory retirement, have an attorney look over them first.
Proof Of Discrimination
If you suspect your employer of discriminating against you for your age, document the signs you see. Here are some examples of proof you should note:
- Your employer offered younger employees benefits not offered to you.
- Younger coworkers consistently receive promotions for positions over you, despite your qualifications.
- You and other workers around your age notice differential treatment.
- Your boss or human resources department constantly asks you about your retirement plans.
- You receive write-ups or poor performance reviews for things your younger coworkers get away with regularly.
- You and other older coworkers do not receive invites to the same training meetings or position-building activities as younger employees.
Some positions have age qualifications, in which case, you may not have a case for age discrimination.
If your employer does violate age discrimination laws, you can file a complaint with the EEOC.