Author: Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC
Jeffrey K Brown, Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC
Telecommunications giant AT&T has agreed to cease discriminatory policies to settle an age discrimination lawsuit filed by the EEOC. The EEOC had charged that AT&T discriminated against a class of retired AT&T workers by denying them the opportunity for reemployment solely because they retired under certain early retirement or enhanced severance programs. Many former employees who took an early retirement package years ago still need work, and will now have an equal opportunity to apply for new jobs at AT&T. According to company information, Dallas-based AT&T is the largest telecommunications company in the world by revenue, with $123 billion reported in 2009.
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects individuals who are 40 years of age or older from employment discrimination based on age. The ADEA’s protections apply to both employees and job applicants. Under the ADEA, it is unlawful to discriminate against a person because of his/her age with respect to any term, condition, or privilege of employment, including hiring, firing, promotion, layoff, compensation, benefits, job assignments, and training. The ADEA permits employers to favor older workers based on age even when doing so adversely affects a younger worker who is 40 or older.
Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC centers its practice on employment law. Our firm has worked with individuals who fell victim to employment discrimination throughout Long Island and the New York City area. For more information, contact Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation