Age bias up in worker layoffs

As unemployment rises, so do claims of discrimination. Age-based discrimination claims increased nearly 30 percent in the year ended Sep. 30, according to the Wall Street Journal, compared with a 15 percent increase in discrimination complaints overall.

Despite the increase, older workers account for fewer unemployed workers than those under 40. Unemployment among younger workers is 10 percent, while those 40 or over, the youngest age a worker can claim discrimination, is 6.5 percent. Older workers are also a growing percentage of those who are still employed; approximately 40 percent of workers were over 55 in January, compared with 36 percent in January 2004 and 32 percent in January 2000.