What is the primary goal of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act?

The primary goal of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) is to eliminate workplace discrimination against older workers. This landmark legislation was enacted to ensure that individuals who are 40 years of age or older are protected from discrimination based on age in hiring, promotions, salary, and other employment-related matters. The ADEA aims to foster a fair working environment where older employees can compete on an equal footing with younger employees, free from biases that may adversely affect their employment opportunities simply because of their age.

The act acknowledges that older workers may face unique challenges in the job market and seeks to ensure they are treated fairly, allowing them to contribute their skills and experience without being subjected to arbitrary age-based barriers. This goal of combating age discrimination is fundamental to promoting age diversity and inclusion in the workforce.