Age Discrimination

Employees in Connecticut are protected from age discrimination by three laws: The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), codified at 29 U.S.C. §§ 621 et. seq., which protects individuals over the age of 40 from discrimination at the hands of employers, labor organization or employment agencies; the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act, codified at Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46a-60 et. seq., which forbids employers from discrimination because of age, except in limited circumstance, such as those with a bona fide occupational qualification or need; and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, codified at 42 U.S.C. § 6101, which protects individuals from age discrimination in programs or activities receiving federal assistance.

·        The ADEA forbids all forms of age discrimination, including those involving job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.  Under the ADEA both employees and job applicants are protected.

·        The federal laws cover employers with twenty or more employees, but Connecticut state laws apply to employers with as few as three or more employees.
·         There are some exceptions to the above laws.  For example, in Connecticut, police work and fire-fighting are considered to be professions where age may be a bona fide occupational qualification, outside the protection of the ADEA.  Bona fide seniority systems and bona fide retirement programs are not protected under these laws.

·        If you want to file a claim for age discrimination with the state, you must file a complaint with the appropriate state administrative agency within 180 days after the alleged act of discrimination.  To file a violation of the federal law, you must file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”).   If your employer violated both state and federal law, you must timely file your complaints with the state administrative agency, which will also send a copy to the EEOC.

·        Our attorneys have extensive experience fully representing clients who have been discriminated against on the basis of age.  Our attorneys have litigated these violations extensively at state, federal and administrative forums. 
Our office offers a full consultation.

Content Copyright 2008 Axelrod & Associates, LLC