June 24, 2021

TASK FORCE ON AGING & FAMILIES APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF PROTECTING OLDER WORKERS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION ACT

WASHINGTON, DC – Following House passage of H.R. 2062 – The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging & Families (TFAF) leadership released the following statement:

“The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the immense pressures older workers face inside and out of the workplace, including those in the ‘Sandwich Generation’ supporting children and parents at the same time. With longer life expectancy and the rising cost of living forcing Americans to work longer, House Democrats are committed to ensuring that older workers have the same shot as anyone else to support themselves and their families.

“Sadly, the spike in age-related employment discrimination and increased barriers to fighting back have prevented too many older workers from getting and staying in jobs. With a higher burden of proof to prove prejudice than those who make similar claims based on race, sex, national origin or religion, older Americans are at a critical disadvantage when seeking a fair work environment. 

“The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act levels the playing field for millions of aging workers and empowers them to take robust action against injustice. As the number of complaints continues to climb, this action is needed now. The Task Force on Aging and Families applauds the immense and broad support for this legislation, because every American deserves to work and age with dignity.”

The House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging and Families has long championed increased enforcement against age discrimination in the workplace. The Task Force is led by Co-Chairs Reps. Jan Schakowsky (IL-08), Doris Matsui (CA-06) and Conor Lamb (PA-17) along with Vice Chairs Reps. Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Ted Deutch (FL-22).

By The Numbers: Age-Related Discrimination in the Workplace

  • A 2018 AARP survey found that 3 in 5 workers age 45 and older had seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace.
  • Age discrimination is a key reason it takes unemployed older workers nearly a full year, on average, to find another job.  
    • When they do land a job, it’s often for less money, which can have a crushing impact on older workers’ long-term financial security and ability to live independently as they age.
  • Enforcement statistics from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission show complaints of age discrimination are climbing with more than 20,000 complaints in 2017 – accounting for 23 percent of all discrimination charges filed.

For more information on the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, click here.

###