How ageism impacts tech workers

On behalf of elizabethtatelaw Attorney at Law posted in Workplace Discrimination on Tuesday , November 6, 2018

While workers in Arizona and elsewhere may make more money than their peers, they may also be more likely to be terminated. This can be especially true in a place like Silicon Valley, and it can be in spite of the fact that many workers see a link between age and wisdom. Age discrimination is relatively common in the tech sector even though it is forbidden by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).

It says that any worker who is over the age of 40 is in a protected class. The state of California also has similar legislation in place to protect older workers. There have been 250 age discrimination claims made under this legislation since 2008, and many cases have advanced through courts at the state and federal level. On average, tech workers are five years younger than those in other fields.

Furthermore, the rate of discrimination based on age is 28 percent higher than discrimination based on race among tech companies in California. This can have a negative impact on both employees and employers. By telling workers that they are only valuable until a certain point in their lives, it can stifle creativity. It can also lead to employees who are disengaged or otherwise feel like they aren’t valued in the workplace.

Individuals who are victims of potentially illegal workplace discrimination may be entitled to many different forms of compensation. Compensation may include both back and future pay and benefits a person may have been denied because of the illegal behavior. Those who believe that they have been treated unfairly at work may want to make a complaint with state or federal authorities. It may also be worthwhile to consult with an attorney to learn more about possible recourse against an employer.