Age discrimination as defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission:
"Age discrimination involves treating an applicant or employee less favorably because of his or her age. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) forbids age discrimination against people who are age 40 or older. It does not protect workers under the age of 40, although some states have laws that protect younger workers from age discrimination. It is not illegal for an employer or other covered entity to favor an older worker over a younger one, even if both workers are age 40 or older. Discrimination can occur when the victim and the person who inflicted the discrimination are both over 40."
Age Discrimination Workplace Laws
- Age Discrimination FAQ (WorkplaceFairness.org)
- List of Federal Age Discrimination Laws (US Dept. of Labor)
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) which applies to employees who are 40 years old and over, working at legally covered entities who employ 20 or more workers. It does not protect workers under the age of 40. The ADEA applies to work situations ranging from hiring, firing, pay decisions, and promotions as well as harassment.
Ageism Against Older Workers / Volunteers
- Understanding Ageism in the Workplace (Ageism.org)
- Old School.info's Anti-Ageism Resources (blogs, podcasts, videos, etc.)
- Learn the Language of Age Discrimination (AARP, 2019)
- 10 steps for engaging adults 50+: A guide for youth-serving organizations (Gen2Gen, 2018)
Ageism Against Younger Workers
- Reverse Ageism in the Workplace (Ageism.org)
- Am I Old Enough to Be Taken Seriously? (Harvard Business Review, 2020)
- OK Boomer, OK Millennial, Let’s Talk About Using These Terms in the Workplace (HR Technologist, 2019)
- We Can't Combat Ageism By Directing It Against Younger People (NextAvenue.org, 2021)
Addressing Ageism & Generational Gaps
- Toolkit: How to Manage Several Generations at a Nonprofit (The Chronicle of Philanthropy)
- The "Forgotten Protected Class": How Training Can Disrupt Ageism in the Workplace (Training Industry, 2021)
- Ageism in the Nonprofit Sector: Confronting the Issue of Age Discrimination (Charity Village, 2013)
- How Can Organizations Prevent Ageism in the Workplace? (Idealist.org, 2020)