What is the purpose of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)?

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) primarily aims to protect employees and job applicants who are 40 years of age or older from discrimination based on age in various aspects of employment, such as hiring, promotions, job assignments, and terminations. This legislation recognizes that older individuals may face unique biases and challenges in the workforce and seeks to ensure that they are not unfairly treated or excluded based solely on their age.

While the other options may touch on relevant employment practices, they do not accurately reflect the specific intent of the ADEA. The act uniquely focuses on preventing age-related discrimination for individuals over 40, which addresses a distinct issue within the broader context of workplace equality and fairness.