Age discrimination in the United States has become an example for the world. In 2000, the European Union adopted a directive requiring all member nations to enact laws against discrimination in employment in the areas of age, sexual orientation, religion, and disability by the year 2006. And while the laws in many of those nations aren't as stringent as those in America, there are making a difference. Many nations look to the Age Discrimination Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) as the standard. It prohibited age discrimination against anyone 40 years old or older in hiring, firing, promotions, pensions, benefits, and more. The very year when the European Union was just beginning its work in this area, US age discrimination 2006 saw 17,000 charges of age discrimination resulting in more than 14,000 resolutions that produced over $51 million in financial benefits. The sad truth is, even though America's law is an example to many, it hasn't stopped age discrimination in her own workplace. The claims filed in 2008 showed a 49% increase over 2006.