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 Missouri, as in all states, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) provides federal protections for employees and job applicants who are 40 years of age or older from discrimination on the basis of age in hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, or terms, conditions, or privileges of employment. The ADEA applies to employers with 20 or more employees, including state and local governments, employment agencies, and labor organizations. Missouri state law also prohibits age discrimination and is enforced by the Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR). The state law covers employers with 6 or more employees, offering broader coverage than the federal statute. Victims of age discrimination in Missouri can file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the MCHR to pursue relief under the ADEA or state law.