Final answer:
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects workers who are over the age of 40 from discrimination in the workplace. It prohibits practices such as age specifications in job ads and denial of benefits based on age. The EEOC enforces these age discrimination laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects workers who are over the age of 40. Enacted in 1967, the ADEA was designed to safeguard employees from discrimination in the workplace on the basis of age, specifically for those who are 40 years of age or older. It covers various facets of employment such as hiring, firing, promotions, layoffs, and benefits. Employers cannot legally specify age requirements in job advertisements, nor can they deny employment or promotions based solely on an individual's age if the person is 40 or older.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the federal agency responsible for enforcing laws that prohibit job discrimination, including age discrimination under ADEA. In addition to age, the EEOC protects against discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, and genetic information.