All employees who are 40 years of age or older are protected under the ADEA. Employees who feel they have been discriminated against because of their age may file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The ADEA states that no person 40 years or older may be discriminated against in the workforce with regard to condition of employment, privileges that come along with employment, hiring, firing, promotion, benefits, compensation, training, job assignment, retirement and layoff. Unfortunately, there are some employers that choose to disregard the ADEA laws, and actively engage in age discrimination in the work place. Their actions are punishable under the law.