Age Discrimination

Pasadena Age Discrimination Lawyers Ready to Fight for You

Overcoming Age Discrimination in the Workplace Across Los Angeles

Age discrimination is practiced, masked, and poorly justified every day by employers across California and the nation. Dedicated professionals and laborers are wrongfully terminated, held back, and denied the security and opportunities they deserve because of something none among us can prevent: the passing of time. Hadsell Stormer Renick & Dai LLP is here to help.

Have You Experienced Age Discrimination or Wrongful Termination?

Have you been referred to as a workplace “dinosaur” or unjustly criticized for a lack of prowess with newer technologies? Were you replaced by someone younger and less qualified for your position? Was the need for “young blood” cited when you questioned employment decisions?

It is illegal for employers to replace workers over 40 with less qualified younger workers. It is illegal to use age as a deciding factor in who gets let go when a company or public entity determines that a layoff is necessary.


If you have been targeted or mistreated because of your age, we want to hear about it and help you understand and exercise your legal rights. Call our Pasadena age discrimination lawyers now for a free consultation: (626) 775-7870.


Understanding Age Discrimination Laws in California

California offers strong protections against age discrimination in the workplace. These protections go beyond federal laws to ensure older employees are treated fairly.

  • California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA): This law makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against employees over the age of 40. It applies to both private and public employers with five or more employees.
  • Additional Protections: FEHA provides broader coverage than the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), including protections for workers in smaller companies and stronger enforcement mechanisms.

Common Signs of Age Discrimination in the Workplace

Age discrimination can be subtle, but there are common signs to watch for:

  • Unexplained Performance Issues: If you suddenly receive poor performance reviews after years of good reviews, it could be a red flag.
  • Exclusion from Meetings or Tasks: Being left out of important projects or meetings can be a tactic used to marginalize older employees.
  • Promotion Denials: If younger, less experienced colleagues are promoted over you, despite your qualifications, it might signal age bias.
  • Ageist Remarks: Comments about being “too old” to learn new technology or references to being a “dinosaur” can indicate discriminatory behavior.

The Impact of Age Discrimination on Employees' Mental and Physical Health

Being discriminated against because of age can have serious emotional and physical consequences:

  • Emotional Toll: Experiencing discrimination can lead to anxiety, depression, and feelings of worthlessness.
  • Physical Stress: The stress of facing age bias can impact your physical health, contributing to fatigue, headaches, and sleep disturbances.
  • Decreased Job Satisfaction: Constantly battling age discrimination can lower morale and diminish job satisfaction, leading to burnout.

How to Document and Prove Age Discrimination

Documenting your experience is key to proving age discrimination:

  • Keep Records: Save any emails, memos, or documents that show discriminatory behavior.
  • Witness Testimonies: If colleagues witnessed discriminatory actions, ask them to provide statements or testimonies.
  • Performance Reviews: Collect past performance reviews to show any sudden changes in how you're evaluated.
  • Keep a Journal: Document incidents as they happen, noting dates, times, and details of what occurred.

Retaliation After Reporting Age Discrimination

If you report age discrimination, you are protected from retaliation by law:

  • Retaliation Protections: It's illegal for employers to retaliate against you for filing a complaint, reporting discrimination, or participating in an investigation.
  • Examples of Retaliation: Retaliation may include demotion, harassment, or being passed over for a promotion.
  • Take Action: If retaliation occurs, document it immediately and contact an attorney to explore your legal options.

Understanding these aspects of age discrimination can help you protect your rights and take action when needed.

Are You Facing Economic Hardships or Illegal Age Discrimination?

Although age discrimination has long been pervasive in some industries and sectors, an aging population and persistently adverse economy appear to have made it even more prevalent in recent years. Put simply, younger workers may be able to work for less money and may require less employee-paid health care. However, this does not justify unlawful employment decisions or violations of older workers’ rights. Attorney Dan Stormer has published and lectured on the increase in age discrimination and how to counter the trend. For more on this topic, see Stormer, “The Graying of America: Age Discrimination in the Nineties,” 26 West Los Angeles Law Review 189 (1995).

Sadly, fear of retaliation and the belief that discrimination cannot be proven keep many people from taking action against this widespread injustice. We have taken complex age discrimination cases to trial successfully, including a case against payroll/human resources giant ADP, resulting in a jury award exceeding $1 million. We have settled many age discrimination cases for six figures and substantial compensation for the loss of pension and other long-term benefits.

Types of Discrimination We Can Help With:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Age Discrimination and Workers' Rights

  • What is the difference between age discrimination and employment discrimination?
    Age discrimination is a form of employment discrimination where an employee is treated unfairly due to their age, often when they are 40 years or older. Employment discrimination, however, is a broader term that covers all forms of unfair treatment based on characteristics such as race, gender, religion, disability, or pregnancy. Workers' rights are protected by various laws, including federal and state regulations, to prevent all forms of discrimination in the workplace.
  • How does pregnancy discrimination relate to age discrimination?
    While pregnancy discrimination is not directly related to age discrimination, both fall under the broader umbrella of employment discrimination. Pregnancy discrimination occurs when an employee is treated unfairly because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Both forms of discrimination violate the workers' rights to equal treatment and opportunities in the workplace. Employers are legally prohibited from discriminating against employees based on either age or pregnancy status.
  • Can I file a complaint for age discrimination if I am over 40 but not yet retired?
    Yes, you are fully protected by laws like the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) if you are over the age of 40 and experience age discrimination. Age discrimination laws do not require that an individual be retired or nearing retirement—they apply as long as you are employed and facing discrimination due to your age.
  • How do I know if I am facing pregnancy discrimination at work?
    Pregnancy discrimination occurs when an employer treats a pregnant employee unfairly compared to other employees. Common signs of pregnancy discrimination include being demoted, denied reasonable accommodations, or passed over for promotions due to pregnancy. If you believe you are experiencing pregnancy discrimination, it is important to document the incidents and seek legal advice to protect your workers' rights.
  • What should I do if I face both age and other types of discrimination?
    If you believe you are facing multiple types of discrimination, such as both age discrimination and pregnancy discrimination, you can file a claim under multiple laws. It's crucial to consult with an experienced attorney who specializes in employment discrimination to ensure all aspects of your case are addressed.
  • Are older workers protected from discrimination when applying for jobs?
    Yes, individuals over the age of 40 are protected from age discrimination during the hiring process. Employers cannot discriminate against you simply because of your age, whether you are seeking a new position or promotions within the company. Workers' rights ensure that hiring decisions should be based on qualifications, not age.
  • How long do I have to file a complaint for age discrimination?
    In California, you typically have one year from the date of the alleged discrimination to file a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). Federal law, under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), gives you 180 days to file a claim. It's important to act quickly to protect your workers' rights.

Seek Compassionate Legal Support from Our Experienced Attorneys

Discrimination against older people can be challenging to prove, but our attorneys at Hadsell Stormer Renick & Dai LLP, follow the evolution of the law and stay on top of case results in the field.


Contact us today to find out more about how our age discrimination lawyers in Pasadena can help in your case. Call tel:(626) 775-7870 now!


Contact Us Today

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