Sacramento Age Discrimination Lawyers
Workplace age discrimination can derail an employee’s long-term career. It can create a battleground between seasoned employees and young entrants, poison company culture, and affect workers’ economic and emotional well-being.
If you suspect you are a victim of age discrimination, the dedicated Sacramento age discrimination lawyers at King & Siegel LLP can help. With a commitment to holding employers accountable, we have recovered more than $75 million on behalf of California employees. Contact us today to speak with a Sacramento age discrimination attorney.
What is Age Discrimination?
An employee proves age discrimination when they show that their age was a “substantial motivating factor” in an “an adverse employment action” This type of discrimination takes various forms, from unfair promotions to wrongful terminations. The following are some of the most common examples:
- Hiring bias—preferring younger candidates over older ones with similar or better qualifications during the recruitment process;
- Discrimination in mass layoffs—targeting older employees during company layoffs or restructuring, even when their performance is on par or better than younger employees;
- Denial of training—excluding older employees from training opportunities, assuming they might not benefit from new advances or technologies;
- Limiting advancement—overlooking older employees for promotions or career advancement opportunities in favor of younger employees with similar or lesser qualifications;
- Forced retirement—pushing employees to retire or making the workplace environment uncomfortable for them because of their age;
- Exclusion—excluding older workers from essential meetings, team events, or decision-making processes based on assumptions related to their age;
- Altering job roles—changing an older employee’s duties or responsibilities without justification, making their roles redundant or less significant; and
- Denial of benefits—offering fewer or lesser benefits to older employees than their younger counterparts.
You can prove that age was a “substantial motivating factor” in a variety of ways. One of the most common ways is through “comparator evidence,” which compares a group of older workers with younger workers. For instance, showing that younger workers were consistently given more favorable promotion opportunities can raise an inference of age discrimination. Similarly, you can prove that age was a substantial motivating factor by citing an employer’s age-related comments, such as inquiries about retirement.
Our experienced age discrimination attorneys are experts in the evidentiary law governing these claims. This knowledge is essential in proving up age discrimination cases.
What Laws Protect Against Age Discrimination in the Workplace?
At the federal level, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967 is the primary law prohibiting age discrimination in the workplace. This act prohibits discrimination against individuals 40 or older and applies to employees and job applicants. Under the ADEA, it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate based on age in any area of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, promotions, layoffs, training, benefits, and any other term or condition of employment.
Sacramento employees can also rely on California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) to provide similar protections. The regulation applies to employers with five or more workers and covers all employment practices, including hiring, promotions, training, compensation, benefits, layoffs, and terminations. The FEHA also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who oppose any practices forbidden under FEHA or who file complaints, testify, or assist in FEHA proceedings. Moreover, it prohibits harassment based on age, including actions that create a hostile work environment for older individuals.
Employees who believe they’ve experienced workplace age discrimination can file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (previously called the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)) or with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Both agencies require complainant’s to file claims within certain time frames. For federal claims, employees typically have 300 days from the last discriminatory action. For state claims, employees typically have 3 years.
Because statutory timelines can be confusing and employees only have one shot at filing a persuasive claim, we recommend consulting with an age discrimination attorney at King & Siegel LLP as soon as possible. Our Sacramento age discrimination attorneys can review your claim’s strengths and weaknesses, help you collect evidence that supports your case, and ensure you meet all applicable deadlines.
How Can King & Siegel’s Sacramento Age Discrimination Lawyers Help?
At King and Siegel, we’re dedicated to helping employees with Sacramento age discrimination lawsuits achieve a justice. We are one of the few leading California employment law firms with a Sacramento office, and we are committed to serving employees throughout the Capitol region.
The following are just a few of the services you can expect when you work with us:
- Education and information—we will explain your rights under the ADEA, FEHA, and other relevant laws, empowering you to recognize and confront age discrimination;
- Claim investigation—we will explore and investigate every aspect of your claim, gather evidence, interview any applicable witnesses, and establish solid ground for a potential claim or lawsuit;
- Negotiation—if it makes sense, we can help negotiate a resolution with your employer that addresses your concerns, resolves your complaint, and meets your employment and compensatory needs;
- Litigation and representation—if negotiations or settlement talks fail, we represent you throughout discovery and trial, taking exhaustive steps to hold your employer to account.
You have rights, and the age discrimination attorneys at King & Siegel have the experience, skill, and compassion to protect them.
King & Siegel LLP: Your Age Discrimination Advocates
If you or someone you know experienced workplace age discrimination, the first step in seeking a free consultation from an aggressive, experienced law firm. At King & Siegel, our Sacramento age discrimination lawyers exclusively fight for employees’ rights, winning millions of dollars on behalf of our clients through compassionate yet hard-hitting advocacy. Our lawyers have been named Rising Stars by Super Lawyers and have garnered perfect AVVO ratings, manifesting our commitment to providing you with top-tier representation. Contact us today for a free 30-minute consultation, and let us help you chart the best course to recovery.