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 New Jersey, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) applies to employers with 20 or more employees and protects individuals who are 40 years of age or older from employment discrimination based on age. This federal statute 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. Additionally, New Jersey has its own laws that complement the ADEA, such as the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), which provides even broader protections against age discrimination and applies to employers of all sizes. The NJLAD makes it unlawful for an employer to subject people to differential treatment based on age unless a bona fide occupational qualification exists. Therefore, in New Jersey, employees are protected from age discrimination by both federal and state laws, and those who believe they have been discriminated against may seek remedies through the appropriate legal channels.