According to the Urban Institute report “50+ Hispanic Workers: A Growing Segment of the U.S. Workforce,” Hispanics make up one of the fastest growing segments of the country’s older population, making them an important demographic for employers. In the report, Richard W. Johnson and Maurcio Soto examined the contributions these workers make to employers and the economy, determining that the overall characteristics of the group should make them very appealing to employers.

Johnson and Soto begin the report by asserting that as Baby Boomers age, the traditional labor pool — made up of workers ages 25-54 — is “stagnating.” The best way to combat that problem, they say, is to look to older workers: “Older adults, whose numbers are soaring, provide a potential solution to employers who seek the experience, knowledge, and skills necessary to get through these tough times. By ensuring that their workforces include experienced and knowledgeable older workers, employers could prevent the loss of key skills and institutional knowledge that could damage their organization’s current and future competitiveness.”

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Highlighting what it says is the “devastating impact” of age discrimination, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) held a public hearing on July 16 addressing recent developments under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), including the effect of widespread layoffs on older workers, threats to employee benefits, and recent controversial U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

The testimony at the hearing sent a clear message that the EEOC is gearing up to handle more age discrimination claims. Most alarming to the agency is the nearly 30 percent increase in age discrimination charges filed last year — exceeding all other types of bias claims. The numbers led Stuart J. Ishimaru, acting chair of the EEOC, to wonder aloud whether “the public generally realizes that age discrimination is illegal.” Acting vice chair Christine M. Griffin echoed that view, stating, “It’s fair to anticipate age discrimination charges will rise as the financial crisis plays out.” The following is a summary of what was discussed at the hearing and why you should take steps now to avoid what has been termed the “coming avalanche” of age discrimination claims.

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If there’s a critical time to watch what you say in the workplace, it’s when you terminate an employee. If an employee is accused of sexual harassment or other misconduct, ensure that you conduct a fair and comprehensive investigation. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that the allegations are true just because a complaint was made. A recent case decided by the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, whose decisions are binding on Connecticut, New York, and Vermont federal courts, touches on both of these issues and serves as a useful lesson.

I Demand a Recount

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Here are some facts about the older Hispanic population from the Urban Institute’s report “50+ Hispanic Workers: A Growing Segment of the U.S. Workforce” by Richard W. Johnson and Maurcio Soto:

There were 5.6 million Latinos ages 50 to 69  living in the U.S. in 2007.

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