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Age Discrimination Lawyer

age discrimination

Federal Law and State laws make it unlawful for employers to discriminate against older persons on the basis of age. Your employer may not discriminate against older persons in any aspect of their employment, including but not limited to hiring, pay, benefits, workplace opportunities, performance reviews, physical or verbal treatment, assignments, and firing.

Unfortunately, despite age discrimination laws making discriminatory practices illegal, it is not uncommon in the workplace. According to recent studies, approximately 1 in 5 workers over the age of 40 report having personally experienced age-related discrimination. If you believe you are experiencing age discrimination, you are not alone.

Read below to learn more about your civil rights and about what steps to take to prove your case.

Misoginy and ageism in business.

Age Discrimination

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) both prohibit employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of their age. The ADEA and the FEHA protect employees who are 40 years of age or older. Age discriminating can impact employees and job applicants. Age may not impact ones status in the workplace, or impact employment practices including hiring, pay, benefits, workplace opportunities, performance reviews, physical or verbal treatment, assignments, layoffs, and termination.

Discrimination based on age is illegal, whether it is intentional or not. For example, it is illegal for employers to fire higher paid employees as a way to save money if the practice targets older workers, even if the practice is not explicitly about age.

The Federal Government’s Older Workers Benefit Protection Act further prohibits employers from using an employee’s age as the basis for discrimination in retirement benefits, makes it illegal for employers to target older workers in staff-cutting programs, and prevents employers from requiring older workers to waive their rights to sue.

Misoginy and ageism in business.

Ageist Harassment

Unfounded stereotypes about older workers can drive age discrimination. Ageist stereotypes include ideas that older employees don’t understand technology as well as younger workers, are resistant to change, are complacent, are difficult to manage, and are too highly compensated.

Harassment, including the use of ageist stereotypes, jokes, and offensive comments regarding age, is also illegal in the workplace if the harassment is considered severe or pervasive so as to rise to the level of creating a hostile work environment.

Remote Work

If you work remotely, the legal standard for proving age discrimination remains the same. Although you have less face-to-face interaction with coworkers, you may experience age discrimination in a remote office space.

Employer Retaliation

The law protects employees who report unlawful discrimination at work. If you make a complaint of discrimination or harassment to your employer or human resources representative, resist discrimination or harassment in the workplace, or participate as a witness in a discrimination or harassment complaint made by a co-worker, your employer may not treat you unfavorable as a result. If your employer has treated you differently because you reported or resisting any form of discrimination or harassment, your employer has retaliated against you and broken the law.

Signing the document in the office

 If you are Experiencing Discrimination or Retaliation at Work

If you believe you may have age discrimination claims, you may be entitled to compensation including back pay, emotional distress damages, and punitive damages, under federal and state laws. Take the following steps to support your case:

Save Evidence: Record all relevant events or interactions in writing. Save related emails, notes, and documents.

Report the Discrimination: Report the discrimination directly to your employer. If your employer does not correct their behavior, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) (if your employer has more than 15 employees) or with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) (if your employer has more than 5 employees).
There is a 300-day deadline to file with the EEOC and a 3-year deadline to file with the DFEH.

Find an Attorney: Reach out to an employment attorney.

Signing the document in the office

Testimonials

Do not let Navruz's gentle demeanor fool you - she is an absolute bulldog litigator who will stop at nothing to make sure her client's interests are zealously represented. I routinely turn to Navruz for any discrimination-related issues in my work comp cases, and her command of this area of law is top notch. I have no reservations recommending Navruz as an attorney.

Lael Abaya

My experience with Avloni Law was the best I could have asked for. Rather than speaking with a case manager, I spoke directly with attorney, Navruz, who was incredibly efficient, diligent and informative, all while maintaining empathy and kindness. After our intake phone conversation, she did not delay in sending me a checklist of documentation to assemble, and was available to answer my questions. She speedily informed me she couldn't take on the case since it involves Tribal Law, however, she didn't leave me hanging. Instead, she sent me a list of attorneys who could assist. To reiterate, while my interactions with Navruz were brief, it's obvious she's thorough and knowledgeable. I was incredibly impressed with her qualifications (including her studies in rhetoric, which I'd imagine would help persuade and build a case) and several honors and awards. I spoke to many law firms and Avloni stood out most due to Navruz's expertise and client follow-up. Don't hesitate in contacting Avloni Law.

Ryan Shannon

Navruz was a godsend when my tech startup employer discriminated & retaliated against me. She explained the process so smoothly and was very responsive. I don't have a ton of experience working with attorneys, but she's the absolute best I've ever worked with and can't imagine meeting anyone better. Each time I would present a new situation or ask a question she was prompt to reply and offer a phone conversation to ensure I understood and could make the best decisions for my case. Although the experience with my employer was brutal, I'd love nothing more than to be able to work with her again. True blessing of a human-being. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Tessa K

Working with Nav has been inspiring to say the least. As a fellow member of the San Anselmo Racial Equity Committee, she brings her knowledge as a highly skilled civil rights attorney, along with her strong commitment to addressing equity issues in our town. She is hard working, patient, understanding and always willing to listen, grow and learn. Her contributions to this committee and community have been invaluable.

Tiffany M

I need an advise regarding my unemployment case. Avloni Law helped me with understanding the basics and professionally corrected the wording in my appeal statement. Everything went smooth! Highly recommend!

Maria Gushchina

Navruz is an intelligent, dedicated, and talented attorney.

Kyle Morishita

I have had a pleasure of knowing Navruz for quite a while. I definitely recommend her as a hardworking and highly skilled attorney in the area of employment law, especially wrongful termination and harassment. She is passionate about her cases and she cares about her clients.

Alexei Kuchinsky

I have had the pleasure of knowing Navruz for over seven years. She is extremely diligent, smart, and knowledgeable in labor and employment law. Any client represented by Navruz is, without question, very well-represented! I endorse her without qualification!

Ryan Cadry

Navruz is a strong and knowledgeable attorney whose passion for her work is evidenced by effective results.

Maria Crabtree

Navruz Avloni has been my employment law attorney years. Her attention to detail, research and resources, and sincerity in her work are unparalleled. She has given me exceptional employment law advice on multiple occasions. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for an excellent employment law attorney.

Valerie

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Avloni Law is a law firm dedicated to fighting for your right to a workplace free of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Navruz Avloni is an experienced discrimination attorney and has successfully represented numerous clients in discrimination cases.

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