Age discrimination gets real: Lessons from the last recession
Last Updated: Dec. 4, 2020 at 4:45 p.m. ET First Published: Dec. 4, 2020 at 4:59 a.m. ET
By John Tarnoff

Courts have increasingly been siding with businesses and against workers in age discrimination cases— what you can do

The Great Recession led to large increases in unemployment rates and unemployment durations for workers of all ages, but durations rose far more for older workers than for younger workers. This difference was apparent both during and after the recession, fueling speculation that age discrimination played a role. Research indicates that in states with stronger age discrimination protections, older-worker unemployment durations increased more relative to increases for younger workers. This suggests that state age discrimination laws may need to be modified to strengthen protections during downturns.

Age Discrimination and the Great Recession

FRBSF Economic Letter

2014-10 | April 7, 2014


David Neumark and Patrick Button


The Great Recession led to large increases in unemployment rates and unemployment durations for workers of all ages, but durations rose far more for older workers than for younger workers. This difference was apparent both during and after the recession, fueling speculation that age discrimination played a role. Research indicates that in states with stronger age discrimination protections, older-worker unemployment durations increased more relative to increases for younger workers. This suggests that state age discrimination laws may need to be modified to strengthen protections during downturns...