Age Discrimination

• In 1967 the Age Discrimination in Employment Act was passed. This act was passed to protect people over the age of 40. The act prohibits employers from choosing a candidate for a position based on the applicant's age. In 1975 the Age Discrimination Act passed. This act protects people of all ages from discrimination when associated with any federally funded program.
  
  

Disability

• The Rehabilitation Act passed in 1973 and allows any individual with disabilities the same opportunities as anyone else when working with federal contractors and subcontractors. This act also prohibits federally funded programs from discriminating against people with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act bans companies and employment agencies with 15 workers or more from dismissing a qualified candidate for a position based on a person's disability.
  
  

EEOC Action

• Before a person who has been discriminated against can file a complaint with the courts, he must first file a complaint with the EEOC. All allegations must be submitted within 180 after the discrimination occurred. Once a complaint has been officially filed, the employer will be notified of the complaint. During the investigation, EEOC may interview other employees. Mediation may commence between EEOC, the complaint filer and the employer. If mediation fails to bring a satisfactory compromise, then it will return to a full investigation. A complaint will be dismissed if the interviews or investigation show evidence contrary to the complaint.
  
  

Complaints

• According to the EEOC, anyone who believes he has been discriminated against can file a complaint with them. A complaint can be filed in person, by mail or by telephone. The EEOC will need the name, address and phone number of the person filing the complaint. The EEOC will need the same information for the company being complained about. They will also need the complaint filer to provide a description of the discrimination as well as the date or dates the discrimination occurred.
  
  

Remedies

• If a company is found to have discriminated against the complaint filer, the filer can be entitled to a number of things, such as back pay, reinstatement of his job and even promotion. Also sometimes the employer may have to pay the filer's legal fees.