Is Age-Related Harassment Illegal?

On Behalf of | Apr 3, 2023 | Harassment At Work

In the workplace, you could encounter various forms of mistreatment. It is pivotal to identify when abuses violate the law and take action swiftly, not only to stand up for your rights but to stop violations from affecting other workers in the future. If you are over 40, you could deal with discrimination because of your age, and you should also familiarize yourself with unlawful harassment.

Age-related harassment can create many difficulties, potentially impacting your income, career and mental health. Make sure you immediately pinpoint and address any illegal harassment due to your age or any other factor.

An overview of age-related harassment

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says that workplace harassment based on an employee’s age is against the law. It is important to understand when harassment becomes illegal. In some instances, teasing or a one-off incident that is relatively minor does not constitute unlawful harassment. However, repeated and severe harassment based on a victim’s age that creates a hostile work environment or leads to a demotion or firing is against the law.

At work, you could face harassment from a manager, colleague, customer or client.

The consequences of age-related harassment

Age-related harassment could have a devastating impact on your career. Whether you lose your position or face a pay cut, harassment can affect your finances. At an older age, finding another job can prove challenging, and you could also experience discrimination when applying for another position.

Harassment based on your age could leave you feeling hopeless and stressed out. It is crucial to recognize unlawful age-related harassment and figure out the best course of action right away.