Final answer:
The ADEA of 1967 protects older workers from discrimination and applies to employers with 20 or more employees, ensuring fair employment practices for those 40 and older.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967 is a crucial legislation that protects older workers from employment discrimination. Specifically, it applies to companies with 20 or more employees, covering a wide spectrum of employment practices. This federal law was designed to ensure fairness in the workplace by making it unlawful for employers to make decisions based on an individual's age, regarding hiring, firing, layoffs, promotions, and other employment-related conditions.
This protection extends to workers who are 40 years of age or older. Amendments to the ADEA have further strengthened these protections, showcasing a societal recognition of the valuable contributions that older employees can provide to the workforce without being forced into retirement due to age.