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Benefits October 21, 2011
Ocean City to Pay $38K to Settle Age Bias Suit
October 21, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The mayor and city council of Ocean City, Maryland, will pay $38,000 and furnish other relief to settle an age discrimination and retaliation lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced.
Reported by Tara Cantore
According to EEOC’s suit, filed in U.S District Court for the District of Maryland, Northern Division, Anthony Indge was not hired into the full-time position of airport associate because of his age, 62, at the time of his application, and was not rehired into the position of temporary line technician in retaliation for his complaints about age discrimination.
Indge had been employed as a temporary line technician and had filled in as an airport associate in 2007 and 2008. While interviewing Indge, the airport manager at the time (the hiring official) made ageist comments to Indge, despite previously having informed Indge that his performance made him a valued employee.
The three-year consent decree settling the suit enjoins the mayor and city council of Ocean City from any further discriminating against applicants and employees on the basis of age or retaliating against employees who oppose age discrimination. In addition, all current and future managers and current employees will receive training on federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination with an emphasis on age discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. The initial training will be conducted by the EEOC. Ocean City also must post a notice affirming its commitment to maintaining an environment free from employment discrimination.