Age Discrimination

Rockville and Bethesda, Maryland, Employment Law Attorney

The baby boomers, the largest generation in our society's history, are getting older. As we have gone from the Woodstock nation to the retirement nation, age discrimination cases are becoming more prevalent in the workplace.

At Farber Legal, in Rockville/North Bethesda, Maryland, our lawyer represent employees and employers in age discrimination cases throughout Maryland and the Washington, D.C., area. Our lawyer can advise you about whether you have an age discrimination case and guide you through the steps to protect your rights. We offer an initial consultation at a discounted price to discuss your case.

Many of our clients are employees who have performed well for their employers over the years, are who are now being pushed out of the company as their salaries and benefit costs become higher. Few employers say, "I'm going to discriminate against you because of your age." Instead, discrimination is couched in code words, such as "Aren't you ready for retirement?" and "Why do you work so hard?" and "The company wants to bring in new blood."

In one of the wrongful termination cases we handled, a well-known restaurant in the Washington, D.C., area told an older worker it didn't need him any more. Then the same restaurant placed an ad in the local paper for a "dynamic" employee. Dynamic, our lawyer alleged, was synonymous for younger. We obtained a settlement for our client, which included his attorney's fees.

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects individuals who are 40 years of age or older from employment discrimination based on age. The ADEA's protections apply to both employees and job applicants. Under the ADEA, it is unlawful to discriminate against a person because of his/her age with respect to any term, condition, or privilege of employment — including, but not limited to, hiring, firing, promotion, layoff, compensation, benefits, job assignments, and training.

It is also unlawful to retaliate against an individual for opposing employment practices that discriminate based on age or for filing an age discrimination charge, testifying, or participating in any way in an investigation, proceeding, or litigation under the ADEA.

The ADEA applies to employers with 20 or more employees, including state and local governments. It also applies to employment agencies and to labor organizations, as well as to the federal government.

If you are a victim of age discrimination at work, or if an employer has make pre-employment inquiries about your age, contact an age discrimination lawyer at Farber Legal. Our employment and labor law firm represent clients in Maryland and the Washington, D.C., area, including Rockville and North Bethesda.