Being fired from a job can be devastating, especially if you are over the age of 40. Once you reach this age, it can become harder to find a new job, because many employers look for younger people to hire. If you believe your boss fired you strictly because of your age, you may be able to seek compensation by filing a wrongful termination lawsuit. Here are two things to know about this.

Why employers fire people for age

When employees are at their jobs for a long time, their employers may give them pay raises on a regular basis. Because of this, having the same employees for a long time can be costly for businesses. To reduce their expenses, some companies may try to find younger workers to replace the older ones. This can help them save money in payroll costs, but that is not the only reason older workers get fired.

The other common reason employers fire older workers is due to their productivity. Younger people might be able to work harder and complete more duties in the same amount of time. Not only would employers save money on payroll by doing this, but they might also be able to make more money from the work younger employees offer.

You will need to have proof

The hardest part of a wrongful termination case is proving that your employer fired you because of your age. To win, you must have proof that your boss fired you for a reason that is not legal. If you were not performing your job well, your boss may have fired you for this reason. This is a valid reason for being fired, and you cannot sue if your boss fired you for this reason.

On the other hand, if your boss simply wants to replace you for a younger worker and you have some type of evidence to prove this, you might have a case. The best thing you can do before you file a lawsuit is thoroughly discuss your case with a civil rights attorney. An attorney in this field is experienced with knowing what type of evidence is needed to win.

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 was designed to protect people against this issue. A civil rights attorney knows and understands the rules relating to this act and can help you determine what to do if you believe you were fired because of your age.