Age Job People Ageism Discrimination Act Employers Employment

"Ageism" or "age discrimination" is the act of treating people unfairly because of their age, especially because one believes they are too old to do something well. Children and teenagers "face" (confront; must deal with) ageism when their "ideas are not taken seriously" (others do not respect their ideas). Seniors face ageism when they have trouble finding a job because employers prefer to "hire" (offer a job to) younger people.

In 1967, the United States "enacted" (made into law) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which "prohibits" (does not allow) age discrimination against anyone who is at least 40 years old. Specifically, employers cannot state age preferences or restrictions in "help-wanted ads" (advertisements announcing a job opening). Employers also cannot use age as a "factor" (something that helps to determine something else) in hiring, "compensation" (how much is one is paid), or "termination" (firing) decisions. Since 1986, the law has also restricted "mandatory retirement" (the practice of forcing people to retire when they reach a certain age).

However, exceptions are made if age can be shown to be a "bona fide" (made in good faith, without intent to mislead or trick someone) "occupational qualification" (something needed to be able to perform a job well). For example, age would be a bona fide occupational qualification when hiring an actor to "portray" (show; act as) a young character. In most other cases, however, age itself is not the restricting factor, but rather it is mental "acuity" (sharpness of thought) or physical "agility" (gracefulness; ability to move quickly).