Age Discrimination

• Chapter 13 considers age as an aspect of diversity.  Age discrimination is prohibited by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) which prohibits employment discrimination against people 40 and over (pgs. 88-89). The ADEA does not prohibit discrimination against workers younger than 40, and recent court decisions have reaffirmed the focus of the ADEA on older workers.

1. For the first time in history there are four generations in the work force.  What possible effects could a large proportion of people aged 45 to 64 and a smaller proportion of people under 45 in the current workforce have on organizations’ ability to attract and retain a competent and motivated workforce?  How might discrimination against younger and older workers combined affect employers, given the shifting age distribution?
2. How might the lack of broad federal legislation prohibiting age discrimination against younger workers contribute to their experiences of discrimination and harassment at work?
3. Marny Midkiff’s programming chief at the Weather Channel reportedly stood by a diversity poster as he made disparaging age- and gender-related comments about the appearance of women anchors.  Marny was later fired after working there for 16 years and sued the Weather Channel (pg. 418).  Do you feel that her subsequent lawsuit was justified?  Why?

• Click Submit Assignment. For each question write one well-developed paragraph with at least 3-5 sentences.  Make sure to cite your sources using APA format.