Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967

Signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson
January 01, 1967

The ADEA prohibits employment discrimination against persons 40 years of age or older.

Enforcement & Remedies

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the first step in enforcing the ADEA. An employee who believes that he or she has been discriminated against in violation of the ADEA must first pursue his or her claims with the EEOC. After pursuing an ADEA claim with the EEOC, the employee may file a civil lawsuit against the employer. Remedies available to an employee who is discriminated against in violation of the ADEA include back pay, front pay, liquidated damages if the violation is willful, and attorney’s fees.