Age Discrimination

Were you fired, treated unfairly, or denied employment opportunities because of your age? Discrimination damages your personal and professional life. We have a long history of standing up for workers’ rights and fighting illegal employment practices. Our employment discrimination lawyers have more than 120+ years of combined experience handling complex, sensitive cases.

We will help hold employers accountable for the harm they caused to your livelihood and for not treating you with the respect and dignity you deserve. If your job is in jeopardy or if you’ve suffered adverse action at work due to discrimination, call our Harrisburg, PA, law office today for a free consultation at (717) 231-1640.

How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help With an Age Discrimination Claim

How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help With an Age Discrimination Claim

Employment matters are often difficult to navigate, but we have decades of experience helping victims of discrimination obtain justice. We’ve earned recognition by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers of America based on our dedication to client service and our outstanding results.

When you call on our Harrisburg employment discrimination lawyers, we’ll:

  • Conduct an investigation into all aspects of your negative employment treatment
  • Obtain and review evidence to support your claim
  • Handle all administrative and court filings and represent you in all proceedings
  • Calculate your damages
  • Negotiate for compensation or favorable employment action on your behalf
  • Advocate for you in court, if necessary

We make sure you understand all of your legal options, and we make sure we understand your goals. Don’t let discriminatory employment practices ruin the rest of your working career. Call our Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, law firm to schedule your free case evaluation.

What Is Age Discrimination in Employment?

Age discrimination is the illegal adverse treatment of individuals in employment, housing, or public accommodations because of their age. Age discrimination in employment is when an employer treats older employees worse than substantially younger employees based on their age.

Age discrimination is prohibited by federal and state laws. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) and the Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) both protect applicants and employees from age discrimination in the workplace.

All employment practices and conditions should be free from age discrimination, including hiring, termination, promotions, benefits, job assignments, and training opportunities. 

Harassment based on your age is a form of discrimination and is also illegal. It’s also illegal for your employer to retaliate against you for filing a complaint based on age discrimination or harassment.

Who Is Protected From Age Discrimination?

Individuals age 40 or older are covered by age discrimination laws in Pennsylvania. Younger workers are not protected by laws that prohibit age discrimination. If you are under age 40 and you’re fired, passed over for a promotion, or suffer other negative employment action, you are not covered by age discrimination laws.

Not all laws apply to all employers. For example, the PHRA applies only to employers with at least four employees. The ADEA applies only to employers with at least 20 employees.

How Do I Know if I Have an Age Discrimination Case?

If you’re at least 40 years old and you received an adverse employment action that was based on your age, you should consult an experienced employment discrimination attorney for a case evaluation. Not every employment decision that affects workers age 40 and older will result in an age discrimination case.

The following actions could give rise to an age discrimination claim if they were based on your age:

  • You were fired but had no negative performance reviews
  • You experienced harassment or were excluded from job duties or activities
  • You weren’t hired for a job you were qualified for
  • You’re paid less than younger workers
  • You were replaced by someone substantially younger
  • Substantially younger employees were treated better than you
  • You didn’t receive the same benefits as substantially younger employees

Importantly, you can still have a case for age discrimination even if the employee who replaced you is over 40 if that employee is substantially younger than you.

Age discrimination can be difficult to prove without the help of an attorney with significant experience in employment law. After all, your employer’s not going to admit to firing you or demoting you because you were too old. 

Investigations into an employer’s hiring practices and day-to-day operations can reveal a pattern of passing over qualified older employees for younger ones.

If you were fired for performance reasons, or if you didn’t get a job because you weren’t qualified, you likely won’t have a case for age discrimination.

Get Help With an Age Discrimination Claim in Harrisburg, PA

Were you let go from your job because of your age? If you are being treated unfairly at work because of age discrimination, you could be entitled to compensation.

We know employment discrimination is tough to face–but you don’t have to go it alone. Call today to speak with one of the personal injury attorneys in Harrisburg, PA at Marzzacco Niven & Associates. Initial consultations are always free.