Bakersfield Age Discrimination Lawyer

Many employees find themselves subjected to workplace bias because of their age, often facing barriers to advancement or pressure to retire before they are ready. You may have the right to seek redress under state and federal law if you have experienced prejudice based on your age.

A Bakersfield age discrimination lawyer could review your situation, explain your options, and help you pursue justice. While a positive outcome cannot be guaranteed, having the experienced legal support of one of our workplace discrimination attorneys could make a significant difference in your case.

Understanding Age Discrimination in the Workplace

Age discrimination occurs when an employer treats a worker differently because of their age. Under the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act, employees who are 40 years or older are protected from discrimination in hiring, firing, promotions, pay, job assignments, and training opportunities. State law offers additional protections through the Fair Employment and Housing Act, which applies to employers with five or more employees. Together, these laws ensure that workers cannot be overlooked or treated unfairly due to assumptions about their age.

Age bias can be overt, such as refusing to hire someone over a certain age, or more subtle, such as consistently favoring younger employees for advancement. In either case, these practices are unlawful, and Bakersfield employees could challenge them with the help of an employment rights attorney.

Common Signs of Age Discrimination

Age discrimination often manifests in ways that you may not immediately recognize. For example, as an older employee, you may be excluded from important projects, while younger workers are given more opportunities. You may also face harsher discipline for your mistakes compared to your younger colleagues, and your employer may make repeated comments suggesting that you retire. You may even notice a decline in performance evaluations, creating a pretext for demotion or termination despite no change in the quality of your work.

With the help of an employment discrimination lawyer, you could challenge the prejudiced practices of a Bakersfield employer. We are here to help you build your case.

How Do You Prove Age Discrimination?

Demonstrating age discrimination requires evidence that age was a factor in your employer’s decision-making. This could be shown through documents, performance reviews, company records, or even testimony from coworkers. Evidence may be direct, such as a supervisor making comments about you being too old for a position, or it could be circumstantial, such as you being overlooked for promotion. Both direct and circumstantial evidence can be powerful when confronting prejudiced employers.

An age-bias attorney from Bakersfield could analyze the facts of your case, identify where the discrimination occurred, and determine how best to present your claim. We have the knowledge and experience to use both state and federal law to defend your rights.

Remedies for Victims of Age Discrimination

The remedies available in age discrimination cases are designed to both compensate you and deter employers from engaging in similar conduct in the future. These remedies may include reinstatement to your job, recovery of lost wages and benefits, compensation for emotional distress, and, in some cases, punitive damages.

Beyond financial compensation, holding an employer accountable for discrimination could bring closure and validation by affirming that your contributions and experience are valuable, regardless of your age. Our Bakersfield legal team could help you address any age-related bias you have faced in the workplace.

Contact a Bakersfield Attorney About Age-Related Prejudice at Work

You do not have to face the situation alone if you believe your employer has treated you unfairly because of your age. A Bakersfield age discrimination lawyer could help you understand your rights and take steps to protect them. By pursuing a legal claim, you may be able to recover compensation and prevent future mistreatment. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we could help.