Reductions in Force Can Be Discriminatory
Recently, it has been sad to witness the frequency of reductions in force which seem to be increasing in intensity. We do wish, however, to point out that there have been occasions, where the “reduction” although identified as such, was, in some part, motivated by age discrimination.
It becomes necessary, therefore, that when a potential client discusses termination as part of a reduction in force, we inquire further to determine whether he/she was identified in the reduction in a fair and appropriate fashion. We have, on occasion, identified instances in which, during an appropriate and acceptable “reduction,” we have found that employment discrimination existed. Reductions in force should not be used to mask instances of employment discrimination.
