Age Discrimination Statistics

Different industries have their own signature labor code violations that you often hear about in the news. Tech industries are often accused of gender discrimination and sexism. Foodservice institutions are routinely served with wage and hour lawsuits. Fashion retailers see sexual harassment claims from both employees and customers. The often forgotten prejudice in labor law, however, is age discrimination.

Age Discrimination Layoffs Are Often Hidden

In California, the law protects employees over the age of 40 from age discrimination. However, high wage earners are not a protected class. Since those over the age of 40 are usually the employees who are most seasoned and therefore paid more, it is easy for a company to label an age fueled termination as a “lay-off” based on finances.

Though baby boomers make up a good portion of the current workforce, median ages in many industries and companies reflect a much younger workforce. Is it a coincidence? Or are older workers targeted in an unassuming, inconspicuous way? Payscale compiled some interesting statistics based on company and industry about ages and wages.

Age Discrimination Statistics

• The number of age-related discrimination charges filed with employers and the EEOC by workers aged 65-plus doubled from 1990 to 2017.
• 44 percent of employees report that they or someone they know experienced age discrimination in the workplace.
• 21 percent report they faced age discrimination themselves.
• 36 percent feel their age has prevented them from getting a job since turning 40.
• 26 percent feel there is some risk they could lose their current job because of age.
• Only 40 percent who experienced age discrimination filed a charge or complaint.
• Employers paid $810.4 million to settle age discrimination charges filed with the EEOC between 2010 and 2018 (excluding litigation).

The median age for a Google employee is 29 years old, with a median salary of $107,000.

On average, an employee will stay with Google for 1.1 years.

Other companies with young employees are Target (28), Office Depot (27), and eBay Inc. (30) with tenures of 2.2 years, 2.0 years, and 1.9 respectively.

Only one company surveyed out of the hundreds reflected a median age of 50—Kodak.

If you feel you have been discriminated against based on age, call an Aegis attorney today. Our discrimination attorneys have extensive experience assisting those whose employers have “let them go” as a result of aging. This is illegal in the state of California. We can help. Obtain a free consultation by calling (949) 379-6250.