The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) is a federal statute that prohibits employment discrimination against persons 40 years of age or older. The ADEA is located in the United States Code, beginning at 29 U.S.C. §621.
In Alabama, as in all states, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) applies to protect employees and job applicants who are 40 years of age or older from discrimination in the workplace based on age. This federal law prohibits discrimination in any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, benefits, and any other term or condition of employment. It applies to employers with 20 or more employees, including state and local governments, employment agencies, and labor organizations. The ADEA also prohibits retaliation against an individual for opposing employment practices that discriminate based on age or for filing an age discrimination charge, testifying, or participating in any way in an investigation, proceeding, or litigation under the ADEA. While Alabama does not have a separate state statute specifically addressing age discrimination, the federal ADEA protections are enforced within the state.