REFLECTION CHAPTER 2

 I chose to reflect on chapter two and how aging discrimination can effect many areas of commerce and society. Since 2007, there has been a 17 percent increase in the number of age discrimination complaints (EEOC). This explains how difficult is can be to prove whether or not someone is laid off or denied a job because of their age. In 2009, Supreme Court decision, there are more guidelines to be able to prove age discrimination and with the weak, volatile economy, many people have been laid off of their job.

When looking for new work people 55 and older are finding it harder to get hired. Some are certain it is because of their age, where some resort to trying to look younger or modifying their resume to hide their age. It is difficult if one is laid off because it is harder to take care of a household and provide basic needs for yourself. Usually when we think of age discrimination in the workplace we think of older adults being let go. However, people in their 20's and 30's are also at risk. The "last one in, first one out" policy has become a huge concern because companies want to avoid (older) age discrimination lawsuits.

Although it is a real concern, it completely disregards talent. 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 (Hillier & Barrow, 2011). 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 hiring, firing, promotion, layoff, compensation, benefits, job assignments, and training. The ADEA permits employers to favor older workers based on age even when doing so adversely affects a younger worker who is 40 or older (ADEA).

The ADEA applies to employers with 20 or more employees, including state and local governments. It also applies to employment agencies and labor organizations, as well as to the federal government. These are just a few examples of how in the workplace one may be discriminated against for ones age either being young or older in our society today.

Hillier, S., & Barrow, G. (2011). Aging, the individual, and society. (9th ed., pp. 3-28).

California: WADSWORTH.

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (2012). Indicators of equal employment opportunity—Status and trends. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.