Age Discrimination in Federal and Ohio Employment Law

Age Discrimination in Federal and Ohio Employment Law

By Kristen M. Kraus
Partner

According to a recent article in the New York Times, older employees, even those of retirement age, are staying in the workforce longer. Some are working longer out of necessity while others remain simply because of increased longevity. Whatever the cause for the trend, it is important to understand the laws that are in place to protect this older generation of workers.  

Federal Law: The Age Discrimination in Employment Act

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) prohibits discrimination against employees who are age forty (40) or older.  This law provides no protection to workers under the age of forty (40). Under the ADEA, an employer may not discriminate in any aspect of employment including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotion, layoff, training, fringe benefits or any other term or condition of employment.  Additionally, it is unlawful to harass an employee on the basis of his or her age. While an occasional comment about a person’s age will not rise to the level of harassment, severe and pervasive comments may be enough to create a hostile work environment.

Pursuing a Claim

It is important to keep in mind that the ADEA will only apply to employers with twenty (20) or more employees.  To pursue a claim under the ADEA, an employee must first file a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).  Upon receipt of an ADEA complaint, the EEOC will reach out to the employer to see whether or not there is an interest in mediating the dispute. If the employer is not interested in mediation, the complaint will proceed to the investigation phase.  

With its limited resources, the EEOC is simply unable to thoroughly investigate and pursue every complaint. If the EEOC does not find sufficient evidence that a violation of the ADEA has occurred, it will issue the employee a Right to Sue letter. If a Right to Sue letter is issued, an employee has ninety (90) days to file a lawsuit in court.  An employee who prevails under an ADEA lawsuit may recover a full range of damages including back pay, front pay, attorney’s fees, liquidated damages where willful violation can be established and, if appropriate, injunctive relief.

The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act

The ADEA was amended in 1990 to include the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA).  An employer seeking to terminate an employee may wish to obtain a release to limit the employer’s exposure to a potential lawsuit challenging the termination.  

Obtaining a Valid Release of Federal Age Discrimination Claims

However, if the employee is age forty (40) or older and the employer wishes to obtain a valid release of federal age discrimination claims, it must strictly comply with the provisions of the OWBPA.  A release will only be considered valid if it is “knowing and voluntary”.

To be considered “knowing and voluntary”, the release must:

1) be in writing;

2) it must be written in plain language;

3) it must give the individual twenty-one (21) days to consider the agreement and seven (7) days to revoke following the execution of the agreement; and

4) it must advise the employee of his or her right to consult with an attorney.

This, of course, is not an exhaustive list of requirements; therefore, it is best for an employer to consult with an attorney when drafting such an agreement.

Ohio Age Discrimination Laws

In addition to the ADEA, Ohio has three (3) several different statutes providing protection against age discrimination.  

ORC §4112.02 establishes a civil cause of action for age discrimination.  Under this section, an employee must file suit within one hundred eighty (180) days from the alleged violation.  If successful, an employee is entitled to recover a full list of available remedies including compensatory and punitive damages.

To confuse matters further, ORC §4112.14(B) also establishes a civil cause of action for a person age forty (40) or older who is discriminated against in any job opening or is discharged without just cause but who is “physically able to perform the duties and otherwise meets the established requirements of the job and laws pertaining to the relationship between employer and employee”.   An age discrimination claim brought under this section is subject to a six (6) year statute of limitations. An employee who prevails under this section may be entitled to lost wages and benefits, reinstatement, reimbursement of costs and attorney’s fees.

Finally, ORC §4112.05(B) allows an employee to file an administrative action for age discrimination with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC).  A charge filed with the OCRC under this section must be filed within six (6) months of the alleged violation. If an employee files a charge under this section, he or she is barred from filing a subsequent private civil action.  Likewise, an employee must elect to pursue a remedy under either ORC §4112.02 or §4112.14. An employee is barred from pursuing recovery under both statutes.

Consult with an Expert Employment Law Attorney

This article merely scratches the surface of the complex group of federal and state laws that prohibit age discrimination.  Because the statutes of limitations and damages widely vary, an attorney must analyze these claims on a case by case basis to determine which statute provides the best chance of recovery.

If you have been terminated from employment and believe that your employer was motivated by age discrimination, it is in your best interest to speak with an experienced Ohio employment lawyer right away.

You can take the first step. In Lake County, call 440.946.7656. In Cuyahoga County, call 216.861.4211.


The information presented in this post is not legal advice and does not form a lawyer/client relationship. Laws and circumstances can differ and change.
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