Discrimination, of an form, by an employer is illegal. This week, Texas trucking company Central Freight Lines of Waco, Texas, was forced to pay $400,000 to eight former dock employees who were fired because of their age.
According to the EEOC, managers and dock supervisors referred to the 8 former Central Truck Line employees as “old farts,” “old bastards” and “grandpas.” Some of the let go employees had been with the company for 20 or more years.
The employees filed a claim with the EEOC who later sued Central Freight Lines on the employee’s behalf.
On the first day of a scheduled 8-day trial in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District Court of Texas in Dallas, Central Freight Lines settled rather than continue with the proceedings.
Robert A. Canino, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Dallas District Office said that firing an aging workforce is not the way to reduce costs, not to mention, it’s very illegal and morally apprehensible.
If you feel you’ve been let go from a job because of your age like the employees at Central Truck Lines, the EEOC can help. To file a claim visit the EEOC’s website and follow the instructions for the claim process.