What does the ADEA require about job requirements?

What does the ADEA require about job requirements?

• A. All job requirements must be truly job-related
• B. Job requirements must be identical for all ages
• C. Job requirements can be adjusted by employer to favor older workers
• D. Job requirements must be approved by the union

Answer: (A)

Job qualifications must be truly job-related; the ADEA requires that any requirement used to hire, promote, or set standards be necessary for performing the job and directly tied to business needs. This prevents using age as a basis to exclude applicants, unless there is a narrow bona fide occupational qualification where age is essential for safety or job operation. In practice, employers should base requirements on what is genuinely needed to perform the role, not on assumptions about age. Requirements do not have to be identical for all ages in a discriminatory sense, and there is no obligation for union approval under the ADEA.

Job qualifications must be truly job-related; the ADEA requires that any requirement used to hire, promote, or set standards be necessary for performing the job and directly tied to business needs. This prevents using age as a basis to exclude applicants, unless there is a narrow bona fide occupational qualification where age is essential for safety or job operation. In practice, employers should base requirements on what is genuinely needed to perform the role, not on assumptions about age. Requirements do not have to be identical for all ages in a discriminatory sense, and there is no obligation for union approval under the ADEA.