One would expect that employers would realize that it is in their own best interest to hire the best person for the job — regardless of that person’s age or gender — and to set the terms and conditions of employment based on that person’s performance. Nonetheless, gender- and age-based discrimination is pervasive in American workplaces. And the pain and humiliation that can come from being undervalued as an employee or applicant for reasons completely unrelated to your performance and qualifications can be substantial.
Age discrimination is a major problem in all types of occupations and all levels of corporate hierarchy. Employers and managers all too frequently attempt to push out older employees in favor of a younger and more pliant workforce. But the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects many employees over the age of 40 from discrimination in hiring, firing and terms and conditions of employment based on age. Comparable Arkansas age discrimination laws as well as laws in other jurisdictions extend these protections to employees at smaller companies.
Gender discrimination is another common problem in American workplaces and comes in a variety of forms:
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Women frequently face ample challenges and obstacles in male-dominated fields or within the hierarchy of male-dominated companies. Gender discrimination, however, is not always limited to women. Men can also be victims of discrimination in traditionally female-dominated fields as well as through sexist actions by superiors — even male superiors.
The Sanford Law Firm is committed to holding employers accountable for discrimination in the workplace. With offices in Little Rock and Russellville, our age discrimination lawyers are able to work with individuals throughout the state. But we are also ready and willing to work in other states — wherever workers need a strong and principled advocate. Call our Little Rock office at 501-476-6251 or toll free at or contact us online to schedule a consultation regarding your employment issue.