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 California, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) is a federal law that protects employees and job applicants who are 40 years of age or older from discrimination in hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, or terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. The ADEA applies to employers with 20 or more employees, including state and local governments. It also applies to employment agencies and labor organizations. Additionally, California has its own laws that provide similar protections against age discrimination, such as the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which applies to employers with 5 or more employees and offers broader protections than the ADEA. Under both the ADEA and FEHA, it is unlawful to discriminate against a person because of their age with respect to any aspect of employment, unless age is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the business.