AGE DISCRIMINATION EFFECTS US ALL
/Age Discrimination Effects Us All
By: Robine Riffle
In 1967, a US Labor law was signed into existence by President Lyndon Johnson stating, "The law forbids employment discrimination against anyone at least 40 years of age in the United States". Under the Age Discrimination Employment Act (ADEA) it became unlawful for employers to discriminate against a person because of his or her age with respect to any term, condition or privilege of employment, including hiring, firing, promotion, layoff, compensation, benefits, job assignments and training. So why at the age of 43 years and 8 months was I notified that I was denied employment with the Federal Bureau of Prisons as a Correctional Officer?
In the summer of 2015, while attending my high school reunion, I read about a job fair in a local newspaper for the federal prison located in Hazelton, West Virginia. The fair was to be held the following month. At that time, I resided in Georgia and I knew I couldn't make another trip back to West Virginia. I inquired with friends about the job fair and to gain some knowledge about the prison, as I had moved to Georgia before the prison was built. I thought to myself this would be a perfect opportunity to move back home, and since I was qualified this would be great. I completed the application to include a cover letter that stated I saw the job fair post and was qualified as a candidate.
Later in the fall I was selected as "best qualified" and was set to interview in a matter of weeks. The day of the interview I tested and passed the entrance exam and was given a provisional hire date. They advised me the year was closing out and there were no clearance approvals to hire and send to training until the following year. Then two months into the new year I received an email that stated, "According to 5 USC 3307, a max entry age of 36 has been established for initial appointment to a position." This United States Government Code states, in part, "The head of any agency may determine and fix the minimum and maximum limits of age within which an original appointment may be made to a position as a law enforcement officer or firefighter."
Let me tell you a little about myself. I am a veteran soldier having served for nine years in the US Army Reserve. Plus, I am a certified deputy sheriff with active certification in the State of Georgia with over 1300 hours of continuous education in law enforcement. I hold an associate degree in business-specializing as a medical assistant. I have earned over 150 semester credits from three additional colleges. I am well trained and certified to work as a correctional officer.
My point would be I am already a trained and experienced law enforcement professional. The bureau would only have to send me to the academy to test my knowledge, training and skills. I conceivably could be more of an asset to enter the field earlier even as a new hire. Why do federal, state and local governments require an age limit? Can a person over the age of 40 argue that this law is discriminatory?
They sure should be able to. If that person can test, demonstrate and cite his/her knowledge, training and skills to perform the duties then they are a best candidate for the job. I think in this current day there are many qualified law enforcement applicants including myself over the age of 40. With agencies all over the country experiencing a short supply of suitable recruits, it is foolish to require age limits when there is a group of individuals well qualified to interview and hire. My previous agency in Georgia would welcome an already trained and certified individual at any age. In fact, I worked very closely with a retired Texas Ranger who was 57 years of age when he was hired as a deputy sheriff. I learned so much from him and his experiences. The agency really gains more by not discriminating on age.
Age discrimination is apparent every day in this country. Maybe we, as citizens, who feel we meet all requirements, should not be discriminated against because of a number. We have so much to offer.
All ages matter.
