Ageism in the workplace is an issue that affects thousands of Americans every year, yet many still feel as though it is not properly addressed by the nation's courts, according to the New York Times.
Listed below are eight fast facts about age discrimination that every employer should know.
1. Age discrimination is defined as treating an employee or applicant less favorably because of his or her age. It includes demotions, job loss or non-consideration for positions. A person must be at least 40 years old to be a victim of age discrimination.
2. 20,847 age discrimination complaints were filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2016, up from 20,144 in 2015.
3. Age-related harassment complaints rose to 4,185 last year, up 14 percent since 2011.
4. Of the 20,847 age discrimination complaints received by the E.E.O.C, the organization filed only two of the cases in court. Workplace discrimination cases are often legally complicated and expensive.
5. A 2009 Supreme Court ruling is one reason age discrimination cases are difficult to win. The decision established a precedent that put the burden of proof for age discrimination on employees.
6. Most discrimination cases are settled outside of court. The E.E.O.C. recovered over $350 million through mediation and settlements in 2016 compared to $52.2 million from litigation.
7. Data show older women face greater difficulty finding jobs than older men. A 2015 study from economists at the University of California at Irvine and Tulane University found "robust evidence of age discrimination in hiring against older women" after reviewing 40,000 job applications.
8. Ageism can have a real psychological impact on people, as those who experience age discrimination often feel worse about themselves and their age. Studies show that people 50 years or older who have a positive self-perception of aging live 7.5 years longer than those who don't.
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