As an older person seeking employment in West Virginia, you may find that your age and the extent of your experience ultimately hinder, rather than help, you. While you may assume that, the more experience you have, the more of an asset you are to an employer, some employers feel differently and opt to hire younger, less experienced workers who they can pay less than their older colleagues. At the Grubb Law Group, we recognize that there are certain laws in place that prevent employers from discriminating against workers aged 40 years and older, and we have helped many victims of age discrimination in the workplace pursue appropriate recourse.
According to AARP, age discrimination is so common across the country that job seekers over the age of 35 report that their age is the most significant hurdle preventing them from finding jobs. Additionally, two out of every three American employees between the ages of 45 and 74 report having been victims of this type of discrimination, despite the fact that the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 bans it.
So, just what might age discrimination look like? If a prospective employer chooses to hire a younger, less qualified worker over you, despite the fact that you are better suited for a position, this could potentially constitute age discrimination. Age discrimination also may reveal itself in the form of age-related workplace harassment, and it may, too, take place if your employer passes you over for a promotion, raise or what have you for no reason other than your age.
While age discrimination can happen to anyone, there are certain groups that may be more likely to experience it than others. Women, for example, are more likely than men to be victims of age discrimination, and workers in the entertainment and technology sectors also face a higher risk of experiencing this type of treatment. You can find more about employment discrimination on our webpage.
