Fair Treatment of Older Workers Can Improve Your Bottom Line
Older employees typically offer benefits to a company, but those benefits come at a cost. Most long-term employees have higher pay rates and they tend to have more health problems. As a consequence, many employers may lean, intentionally or involuntarily, toward hiring younger workers and squeezing out older employees. That’s a practice that can be fraught with peril. Here are some of the reasons it can be to your benefit to be intentional in your employment practices as they relate to the age of your workers.
Defending an Age Discrimination Lawsuit Can Be Costly
The federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) provides certain protections for Americans over the age of 40. Like other anti-discrimination statutes, it typically falls under the purview of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Historically, though, the EEOC has focused more of its efforts on other types of discrimination, but industry watchdogs say that is changing. They say that older workers are far more savvy today than they were 20-30 years ago, and are far more willing to take legal action to protect their rights.
Age Discrimination Sends the Wrong Message to Younger Employees
Experts also say that policies and practices that either overtly or unintentionally favor younger workers over seasoned employees send a message to the younger workers that their value will decrease as they get older. As a consequence, those younger workers have little sense of commitment or loyalty. That in turn translates to less motivation to be productive, as they see themselves being replaced by younger workers when they get closer to retirement.
Let Stephen Hans & Associates Handle Your Employment Law Concerns
At Stephen Hans & Associates, our attorneys are glad to answer your questions and provide legal advice. Years of experience have provided us with extensive knowledge regarding employment law. We have successfully represented many employers throughout the greater New York City area in litigation involving workplace disputes. Our offices are conveniently located in Long Island City with easy access from Manhattan.