Information About the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 deals with the restriction imposed on any person on the basis of his age in matters of employment. This act can be found in “volume 29” of “United States Code”. It clearly states that a person of the age of 40 or more cannot be discriminated on the basis of his age. This act was passed by the Congress and it was known as “Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967.

The Applicable Law

The Congress did a systematic study in the field of employment and found out crucial facts which otherwise would have been unexplored. By systematic study Congress came out with certain findings.

For instance, the upward trend in the sector of service due to the rise in production and richness, the worker who are on the wrong side of 40 are getting removed from their services with the young citizens replacing them. It makes it all the more difficult for the older people to keep their jobs intact, they also face problem when they approach other companies in order to get themselves re-employed. Fixing the upper limits of age, in spite of the potentiality and good performance of the employee acts against them in their removal from their services and this is being used by the employers far and wide across the country.

Unemployment for long periods also dents the morale and skills which are higher for older workers, the number of unemployed older people is on the rise and this has become one the country’s gravest problem. The wide existence of unemployment of older persons is negatively affecting the commerce of the country by putting a lot of pressure on the inflow of goods.

The Congress has taken the necessary steps through the establishment of this act which emphasize promoting employment among the older people on the basis of their skills and abilities rather than on their age. By doing this the Congress has finally taken a positive step and this will immensely help the older workers and also the employers to meet their difficulties.

Discrimination on Basis of Age

The act states that if an employer turns down the candidature of an individual or removes him from the company or discriminates against him on the grounds of employment benefits, compensation on the basis of age it would be considered to be unlawful. It would be further unlawful if any employer classifies, deprives or restricts an individual’s opportunity in terms of his employment on the basis of his age. Another problem commonly faced by older employees is the reduction of wage amount on basis of the same ground. It would also be an unlawful act on the employment agencies part not to refer to an individual for employment and to limit his privileges on the basis of his age.

For more details regarding the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 can be found at http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/adea or you can contact U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at 131 M, Street, NE, Washington, DC 20507 or call at 202 663 4900.