Introduction
Diversity refers to the presence of individual human characteristics that make people different from one another (Schermerhorn, Hunt, and Osborn, 2005).  Among these individual human characteristics are demographic differences, such as age, gender, sexual-orientation, ablebodiedness, race and ethnicity, and religion.  Diversity and demographic differences can impact individual behavior by creating discrimination, stereotypes and prejudices in the work place.  The differences that impact individual behavior the most are age, gender, sexual-orientation, and race and ethnicity.
Age Differences
 Ages in the workplace can vary from as young as 16 to ages over 60 years old.  This vast range of age differences within the workplace can create discrimination, stereotypes and prejudices among individuals.  Such stereotypes and prejudices come from the misperception that as people age, their skills, ablebodiedness, and though processing deteriorates and they are in turn unable to complete their work as effectively and efficiently as their younger counterparts. 
According to the United States' government site for equal opportunity, http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/age.html, setting age limits for employment has become common practice among employers.  People over the age of 40 years are at the highest risk of age discrimination, but people of all ages can be victims of age discrimination.  The government has created several acts, in which age discrimination is unlawful and not tolerated.  In 1967, Congress created the Age Discrimination Act (ADEA), protecting individuals over 40 years old against age discrimination.  This act protects both employees and job ...