ABSTRACT
Age discrimination was outlawed in the United States by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) in 1967. This act originally outlawed discrimination against workers between ages forty and sixty-five, but has been extended to all workers older than age forty. Ageism is considered to be the systematic stereotyping of and discrimination against people because they are old just as racism and sexism accomplishes this for skin color and gender. Both interpersonal and institutional age discrimination detrimentally impact the job opportunities of older workers, thereby damaging their economic well-being. Age discrimination in the workplace violates principles of equal opportunity, justice, and fairness as well as the social contract that employers have with society. Some strategies that employers can use to combat age discrimination in the workplace include recognition programs for companies with policies supportive of older workers and diversity training programs that address ageist stereotypes and attitudes.
