How many employees must a company have to be subject to the ADEA?

To determine the applicability of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), it is essential to understand the threshold regarding the number of employees a company must have. The ADEA prohibits age discrimination against employees who are 40 years of age or older and applies to employers with 20 or more employees. This requirement is a key factor that distinguishes the ADEA from other employment laws, as it sets the minimum employee count for coverage.

In this context, the correct answer is 20 or more employees, as organizations of this size are required to adhere to the age discrimination standards set forth by the law. This provision ensures that a significant number of workers within a company can benefit from the protections aimed at preventing age-based discrimination in hiring, promotion, and other employment practices.

Options that suggest fewer employees do not align with the ADEA's stipulations, which clearly establish the 20-employee threshold for inclusion under the act. Understanding this employee count requirement is crucial for compliance and awareness of rights under the ADEA for both employers and employees.