What is one example of a protected characteristic in employment discrimination cases?

In employment discrimination cases, age is identified as a protected characteristic under laws such as the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). This legislation aims to protect employees 40 years of age and older from discrimination based on their age in various aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, job assignments, and termination. Recognizing age as a protected characteristic helps ensure that older workers are not unfairly treated or considered less capable solely because of their age.

On the other hand, job title, salary level, and work location are not designated as protected characteristics under employment discrimination laws. While these factors may play a role in employment disputes, they do not carry the same legal recognition that protects individuals from discriminatory practices based on inherent personal attributes, such as age, race, gender, or disability.