Final answer:
The OWBPA amended the ADEA to protect against discrimination in employee benefits and the waiver of rights, ensuring fair treatment for workers over 40 years of age in various aspects of their employment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA) of 1990 amended the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) specifically to prohibit discrimination in two critical areas: employee benefits and the waiver of rights. This amendment makes it illegal for employers to use an employee's age as a basis for discrimination in benefits. Moreover, it establishes standards for the waiver of rights to ensure that any waiver of the right to sue for age discrimination is made knowingly and voluntarily. These protections were put in place to address issues of age stratification in society, and to help ensure fair treatment of workers over 40 years of age in various aspects of employment, including hiring, promotions, layoffs, and other employment benefits.