Age Discrimination in the Workplace

Age discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee unfairly because of age, most commonly targeting workers over the age of 40. This discrimination often hides behind phrases like “culture fit,” “restructuring,” or “new direction,” but the impact is the same—experienced employees are pushed aside based on unlawful assumptions.

At Baldwin & Vernon Trial Attorneys, we represent employees in Kansas City and throughout Missouri and Kansas who have been harmed by age discrimination. Our practice is focused on employment litigation and real courtroom advocacy, because these cases often require employers to answer for decisions they prefer to keep unexplained.

What Age Discrimination Can Look Like

Age discrimination is rarely overt. Instead, it often appears through patterns and sudden changes in treatment, such as:

• Termination during layoffs that disproportionately affect older workers

• Replacement by younger, less experienced employees

• Sudden negative performance reviews after years of positive feedback

• Denial of promotions, training, or advancement opportunities

• Pressure to retire or comments about being “overqualified”

• Reduction in responsibilities or exclusion from key projects

Employers may claim business justifications, but those explanations do not excuse unlawful age-based decisions.

Layoffs, Restructuring, and “Performance” Excuses

Many age discrimination cases arise during layoffs or reorganizations. Employers often use restructuring as a shield to justify decisions that disproportionately impact older workers.

Age discrimination laws prohibit employers from using age as a factor in employment decisions—even when wrapped in neutral-sounding explanations. These cases require careful analysis of timing, comparators, and internal decision-making.

Missouri Age Discrimination Protections

What is considered age discrimination can depend on the jurisdiction you are in. For example, in the state of Missouri, our Missouri Human Rights Act (“MHRA”) limits age discrimination cases to people older than 40 but younger than 70.

Why Trial Experience Matters in Age Discrimination Cases

Employers rarely admit to age discrimination. These cases often turn on circumstantial evidence and the ability to explain patterns of conduct clearly to a jury.

At Baldwin & Vernon Trial Attorneys, we prepare age discrimination cases as if they will be tried. That preparation creates leverage, accountability, and meaningful results for our clients.