AARP New Jersey Works to End Age Discrimination

People are staying in the workforce longer – with 35 percent of the workforce projected to be age 50-plus by 2022 – and according to the U.S. Census Bureau, there is a particular increase in workers in the 65 to 74 age group.

Yet age discrimination in the workforce is a persistent and common problem. In New Jersey, employers can discriminate against workers over the age of 70. And nearly 2 out of 3 workers 45 and older say they have either experienced or witnessed age discrimination on the job, according to an AARP study.

But there’s good news. In September 2019, the NJ Senate passed S3799, which will eliminate that current provision in NJ law that allows employers to discriminate against workers over the age of 70.

AARP New Jersey applauds Senator Loretta Weinberg, Senator Shirley K. Turner and Senator Bob Andrzejczak for their leadership on passing the bill. The companion bill, A5395, is being considered in the NJ General Assembly. We thank sponsors Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Assemblymen Bruce Land and Matthew Milam for championing older workers.

Workers should be judged by their ability to do the job, not based on their age. AARP New Jersey is urging the NJ Assembly to follow the Senate’s lead on this issue.

If you have experienced or are experiencing age discrimination at work, read this article on the five things you should know about fighting age discrimination.