Employment & Anti-Discrimination Laws
In addition, state and federal laws help protect people living with dementia from discrimination in the workplace. Understanding your rights can help you make informed employment decisions, recognize when legal protections may apply, and confidently advocate for yourself. This section explains these protections in everyday language and offers practical steps to help you explore your options.
Understanding Your Rights at Work at a Glance
Understanding Your Rights at Work at a Glance
A one-page quick reference summarizing the ADA, the ADEA, reasonable accommodations, and where to go for help.
These laws prohibit employers from making decisions based on certain personal characteristics, often called protected classes.
Protected classes include, but are not limited to:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex
- National origin
- Age
- Disability
- Genetic information
Two protected classes are especially important for people living with dementia: age and disability.
Protection Based on Age
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects workers who are 40 years of age or older from discrimination in hiring, firing, promotion, layoffs, and benefits.It generally applies to employers with 20 or more employees. Many states have similar laws, and some extend these protections to smaller employers.
Protection Based on Disability
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is one of the most important laws for people living with dementia. The rest of this section focuses on what the ADA means for you.Know Your Rights at Work
Christian Lobb, Attorney
Christian Lobb is an attorney whose practice includes employment law and disability rights. In this video, he introduces the basics of the ADA and explains why understanding your rights matters — even if you have no plans to leave your job.
Read the transcript
Hello, my name is Christian Lobb. I’m an attorney whose practice includes employment law and disability rights. I’m pleased to be part of this educational series developed in partnership with the National Council of Dementia Minds.
If you have been diagnosed with dementia and are continuing to work, you may have questions about your rights, your responsibilities, and whether your employer can provide support that helps you succeed. This presentation provides general information and is not legal advice.
A dementia diagnosis does not automatically mean you have to stop working. Understanding your rights early can help you plan ahead and request support if needed.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) helps protect qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination and who may require reasonable accommodations.
Here are three key ideas: protection from discrimination, reasonable accommodation, and protection from retaliation.
Reasonable accommodations may include written reminders, organizational supports, modified schedules, assistive technology, or other individualized solutions.
The key takeaway: Learning about your rights before challenges arise can help you make informed decisions and continue working with confidence.