3.1 Introduction

• Library: Employment Law in Virginia (Virginia CLE) (2020 Ed.)

3.1 INTRODUCTION

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) ¹ proscribes employment discrimination based on age. The ADEA was amended in 1978, 1986, and 1990. The purposes behind the law are set out in the congressional statement of findings and purpose:

(a)	The Congress hereby finds and declares that
		(1) in the face of rising productivity and affluence, older workers find themselves disadvantaged in their efforts to retain employment, and especially to regain employment when displaced from jobs;
		(2) the setting of arbitrary age limits regardless of potential for job performance has become a common practice, and certain otherwise desirable practices may work to the disadvantage of older persons;
		(3) the incidence of unemployment, especially long- term unemployment with resultant deterioration of skill, morale, and employer acceptability is, relative to the younger ages, high among older workers; their numbers are great and growing; and their employment problems grave;
		(4) the existence in industries affecting commerce,

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