What does the Age Discrimination in Employment Act prohibit?

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) specifically prohibits discrimination against individuals who are 40 years of age or older. The purpose of this legislation is to protect older workers from unfair treatment in various aspects of employment, such as hiring, promotions, job assignments, and layoffs, solely based on their age.

This protection acknowledges the value and contributions of older employees while addressing the potential biases that can arise in employment decisions. Therefore, when referring to the correct answer, it highlights that the ADEA focuses explicitly on preventing discrimination against those over the age of 40.

Other options are incorrect as they either misstate the specific age range protected under the ADEA or suggest broader prohibitions that do not align with the Act's defined intent. For instance, discrimination against individuals under 30 is not a basis for protection under this law, and the ADEA does not address age discrimination in a sweeping manner that encompasses all age-related scenarios or limit its scope only to layoffs.