Discrimination takes a variety of forms, but very few people think about age discrimination until it happens to them. It shouldn’t be surprising that in an area with a sizable older population, age discrimination is on the rise. Commissioner Valle wrote a poignant article on the state of workplace discrimination in Florida and how it impacts not only workers but businesses too. It’s important to understand that age discrimination is an unlawful practice, and your rights as an employee or potential employee need to be protected. If you have been discriminated against because of your age, you need to speak with an experienced employment law attorney as soon as possible.

What is Age Discrimination?

The Florida Civil Rights Act prohibits workplace practices that discriminate on the basis of age. Listed below are a few different types of age discrimination that can occur in the workplace.

• Firing an individual because of his or her age
• Refusing to hire a person based on his or her age
• Discriminating against an employee because of his or her age
• Printing or publishing any employment notices, advertisements or memos with discriminatory language

Age Discrimination News in Southwest Florida

The Florida Commission on Human Relations website (FCHR) published an article describing the disturbing trend in age discrimination in Florida. The article was written by Commissioner Mario Valle of Naples. In his article, he writes about the importance of utilizing a workforce with individuals from a variety of age groups.

How to Handle Age Discrimination in the Workplace

If you or a loved one has been discriminated against because of age, you should contact an experienced employment law attorney as soon as possible. Discrimination claims are time sensitive, so it’s important to get the ball rolling on your case quickly. Sadly, many people don’t speak up because of a fear of retaliation. It’s important to note that it’s illegal for an employer to retaliate against an employee for bringing up a claim of age discrimination through the proper channels. An attorney can help guide you through the complexities of an age discrimination case. If your employer unlawfully retaliates against you, your lawyer can help you with that situation as well.

Legal Disclaimer: The above guidelines are educational in nature and do not create an attorney/client relationship. It is highly recommended that all Florida citizens with employment law issues contact an experienced local Florida employment law attorney to assist them with specific facts and circumstances regarding their labor and employment law matter. If you have been the victim of illegal activities at your workplace, then feel free to contact Attorney Rothman at Weldon & Rothman, PL toll free at (877) 730-5180 or via e-mail at info@weldonrothman.com

Bradley P. Rothman is an experienced Florida employment law attorney who has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star.  He is a principal member of Weldon & Rothman, PL – a Southwest Florida law firm with offices in Naples, Fort Myers, and Sarasota.