Getting older can be hard for many reasons, but age discrimination in the workplace should not make it harder. Unfortunately, that is not the case for a group of former Farmers Insurance agents. These individuals brought suit to the company due to what they claim is job termination because of their age and that they were incorrectly classified as independent contractors.
Recently, 18 California-based individuals shared that they were forced by the company to give up their client bases. There are alleged instances of one plaintiff being told that his book of clients, accumulated over 30 years, would be moved to a younger agent and his clients would be informed that he has retired. Another has alleged that although he was told that he could work until he chose to retire, he was forced to give up his client base and was essentially shut out from business after 35 years in the industry. According to another agent, it appeared that more experienced agents were being terminated, while their lengthy books of business were being handed over to younger agents.
The Law Protects Those Aged 40 and Older
Not only is age discrimination emotionally and financially harmful for those affected, but it is also illegal. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) exists to protect those who are aged 40 and older from discrimination in the workplace while hired or during the hiring process. Last year, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) expressed that it was targeting age discrimination in the workplace. EEOC officials have expressed that many people accept age discrimination over other forms of discrimination in the workplace.
Technology Contributes to Discrimination
The ADEA can begin to make changes with recruitment efforts. Even though there are more jobs available than applicants, it remains difficult for older applicants to get hired, even with diversification now being a big focus in the hiring process. Often, job descriptions use words such as digital native, energetic, and recent college graduate, which favor younger individuals. This is only compounded by the fact that when jobs are posted, they are often done so on social media and online job sites, or in person at college job fairs, all of which are more heavily accessed by younger, tech-savvy generations.
Chester County Employment Discrimination Lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. Help Those Dealing with Age Discrimination
If you or a loved one is the victim of employment discrimination, it can affect your ability to successfully do your job and your mental, emotional, and financial wellbeing. That is why it is important to find a knowledgeable and experienced Chester County employment discrimination lawyer at The Gold Law Firm P.C. We will fight to make things right. To learn more or for a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 215-569-1999 today. Located in Philadelphia, we serve clients from the surrounding areas, including Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, and Montgomery County.
