Age Discrimination Suit Filed in New York Against AT&T by EEOC
A suit has been filed by the EEOC in New York against AT&T accusing the telecommunications company of discriminating against a class of retired AT&T workers. The EEOC is alleging that AT&T is refusing to allow these workers reemployment simply because they chose to retire under early retirement plans. Due to this action, a disproportionate number of older workers remain unemployed. Each of the former employees in the suit is over the age of 40, and the EEOC is claiming AT&T breached the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).
According to the EEOC, the early retirement plans offered by AT&T effectively exclude elderly workers reemployment regardless of their previous work experience. EEOC acting chairman, Stuart Ishimaru, believes that this case illustrates the EEOC’s commitment to enforcing the ADEA and protecting older workers. Spencer Lewis, New York District Director for the EEOC, added that “all employees, regardless of their age, should be permitted to complete for jobs equally.”
