When you go to work, you have the right to do your job in an environment that is free from mistreatment and harassment. The rights of employees are not contingent on factors such as age, gender and more. If you experienced harassment or discrimination because you are an older employee, you are the victim of workplace harassment. Unfortunately, age discrimination is a common issue, and you may find yourself in a position where you need to defend your rights.
California employers bear the responsibility of creating a work environment that is free from these types of behaviors. There are certain steps employers can take that will allow them to prevent the development of a hostile work environment and lower the chance that employees will experience discrimination or harassment. It is important to fight age discrimination and ensure the fair treatment of all employees.
Steps to fighting age discrimination
The older you get, the more likely it is that you will experience age discrimination in the workplace. Older workers may face more challenges at every stage of the employment process, including hiring, termination, advancement opportunities and more. Ageism is bad for business and bad for employees, which is why employers may find it beneficial to consider the following steps as they fight age discrimination in the workplace:
- Employers can provide training on the importance of diversity and fair treatment for all employees.
- Develop strong policies, ensure the appropriate implementation of them, and enforce them consistently.
- Reward employees based on their performance, not their age or their tenure at the company.
- Don’t allow age to be a deciding factor in decisions related to hiring, firing, promotion and different opportunities.
If you believe that you experienced negative treatment in your workplace due to your age, you have legal options available to you. Through a civil claim, you may be able to seek justice, fight age discrimination and pursue reasonable compensation for your losses.
Your future interests
Discrimination in any form is unacceptable. You do not have to remain silent, and as a victim, you have the right to pursue a beneficial outcome to your situation. You may find it helpful to seek an assessment of your case from a professional who can provide you with insight and support as you fight back against age discrimination. Through your claim, you may be able to make the mistreatment stop, hold responsible parties accountable and prevent others from experiencing this type of discrimination in the future.