Age Discrimination in Bridgeport

Employers cannot discriminate against applicants or current employees due to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other characteristics. Although the law also prohibits age-based discrimination, this is still a prevalent issue in the workplace.

If you believe you were the victim of age discrimination in Bridgeport, consult an attorney. The legal team at Ruane Attorneys could advise you on responding to the situation, filing an official complaint against your employer, or taking them to court if necessary.

Identifying Age-Based Discrimination

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act is a federal law prohibiting employers from discriminating against workers over 40. This applies to employment decisions regarding hiring, termination, promotions, wages, or other benefits. The state human rights law, Connecticut General Statute §46a-60, bans discrimination regardless of age.

Age-based discrimination might take several forms. The most obvious is refusing to hire a qualified person or terminating a good employee because of their age. Giving better assignments to younger workers or forcing a worker to take undesirable shifts also could be age discrimination.

Creating or tolerating a hostile work environment is another form of discrimination. If coworkers are disrespectful, mocking, or aggressive toward a worker due to their age, the worker should complain to human resources. The worker could consult a Bridgeport age discrimination attorney for advice if the problem is not resolved.

Age Considerations in the Workplace

Prohibiting age-based discrimination is not the same as barring employers from considering age. The law permits employers to consider certain factors that could be age-related in specific situations.

For example, a worker must be physically capable of doing their job assignment. If age-related physical ailments prevent an employee from carrying out their duties, an employer could reassign or even dismiss them in some cases without violating the law. Similarly, if an employer provides certain benefits due to seniority, a younger worker could not claim discrimination if the employer implements the seniority system consistently.

Companies can also let go of management employees after they reach retirement age. A company may terminate an executive over age 65 in some cases. Any management-level employee who believes they have been wrongfully terminated due to age discrimination should consult our lawyers in Bridgeport on whether they have a viable legal complaint.

Pursuing an Age Discrimination Complaint in Bridgeport

Someone pursuing a discrimination action must exhaust their administrative remedies before taking a case to court. A complainant must try to resolve the situation outside of court before a judge will consider their case.

An employee must first bring the situation to human resources or management. The company must have a fair opportunity to correct it before an employee accelerates the matter. If the employer does not take effective steps to correct the discrimination, the employee could file a complaint with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO). The time to file a complaint could be as short as 180 days after the discriminatory act, so a worker should act immediately.

If CHRO finds potential discrimination upon investigating the complaint, it will hold a hearing or refer the case for mandatory mediation. If CHRO fails to resolve the situation to the complainant’s satisfaction, our local age discrimination attorneys could request that CHRO issue a Release of Jurisdiction. This document confirms that the complainant has exhausted their administrative remedies and frees them to file a discrimination lawsuit against the employer.

Consult a Bridgeport Attorney About Age Discrimination Cases

The law protects workers of any age against unfair treatment based on their age. When you suspect an employer is discriminating against you because of your age, consult a lawyer on your legal options for rectifying the situation.

At Ruane Attorneys, we can explain the process of holding employers accountable for age discrimination in Bridgeport. Our legal team is prepared to file a complaint and take your case to court if necessary. Call us today for a consultation.