Experienced New Mexico Attorney Fights Employer Age Discrimination

Knowledgeable lawyer advocates for wronged workers in the Albuquerque area

Your work experience is meaningful and valuable. When employers disregard your qualifications in favor of hiring or promoting a younger, less qualified worker, your financial security could be threatened. Clients in the Albuquerque area and throughout New Mexico come to Pia Gallegos Law Firm, P.C. for skilled legal support in age discrimination cases. I represent workers who are pushed out of jobs, passed over for promotions they deserve, denied benefits or otherwise treated unfairly because of their age. I collect evidence and testimony to build strong cases, with the goal of helping my clients to continue working for as long as they wish.

Reputable New Mexico law firm represents mature workers in age-based employment disputes

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects workers who are 40 years of age and older from employment discrimination based on age. If you believe you have been the target of age discrimination, it is important to document the instances in which you were treated unfairly. Discrimination may exist in the form of actions or policies related to:

  • Retirement — With few exceptions, it is illegal for an employer to force an employee to retire at a certain age.
  • Hiring and promotion — Generally, age preferences or limitations cannot be included in job listings, and employers cannot make hiring, firing, promotion, training or job assignment decisions that discriminate against older workers.
  • Pay and benefits — It is unlawful for employers to determine a worker’s compensation based on their age. Likewise, employers who provide lesser benefits to older workers may violate the ADEA.
  • Harassment — Offensive, derogatory and pervasive age-related comments can foster a hostile work environment or result in negative employment decisions. Age harassment in the workplace is illegal under the guidelines of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Many states offer additional protections to employees alleging age discrimination. To ensure that you are aware of the protections and rights available to you in New Mexico, contact an experienced employment law attorney.

Attentive attorney helps clients file EEO complaints and handle settlement negotiations

Before an age discrimination lawsuit can be pursued against an employer, a Charge of Discrimination (Equal Employment Opportunity complaint) must be filed with the EEOC, and the EEOC must issue a Notice of Right to Sue. The following conditions must exist in order for an age discrimination complaint to be considered:

  • The discriminated employee must be at least 40 years old.
  • The business must employ 20 or more people.
  • An individual must have been treated less favorably than others due to their age.

At Pia Gallegos Law Firm, P.C., I will try to resolve your age discrimination case out of court. If litigation is necessary, I am fully prepared to present your case in court with clarity and conviction.

Contact a respected New Mexico lawyer handling age discrimination claims

Pia Gallegos Law Firm, P.C. is dedicated to protecting and enforcing the rights of all workers, no matter their age. If you have experienced age discrimination at work, call my Albuquerque office at 505-842-4010 or contact me online to schedule a consultation.