Comparing the Workplace Discrimination Experiences of Older and Younger Workers With Multiple Sclerosis Under the Americans With Disabilities Act Amendments Act

Abstract

BackgroundIn this study, investigators examined the employment discrimination experiences of older workers (55 and over) with multiple sclerosis (MS) in comparison to younger adult workers with MS.ObjectiveTo examine age as a differential indicator of demographic characteristics of the Charging Parties, the discrimination issues alleged to occur, and the legal outcome of allegation investigations.MethodsThe study utilized data from the Integrated Mission System of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).ResultsFindings indicate that allegations filed by older Charging Parties with MS were more likely to come from Whites and Native Americans/Alaskan Natives. Allegations filed by older Charging Parties were less likely to come from African Americans. Allegations filed by older workers were less likely to involve reasonable accommodations and more likely to involve issues related to demotion. No significant differences were observed related to the types of case resolutions between the two groups.ConclusionsResults suggest that many of the workplace discrimination experiences of people with MS are common across age groups, indicating that the very presence of MS is likely the most salient factor in the discrimination experiences of Americans with MS. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.