Restaurant Displays Age Discrimination

Seasons 52, a national restaurant chain based in Orlando, Florida, was recently fined nearly $3 million by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The company allegedly did not hire employees over age 40, whether it was for front house positions, where customers would interact with them, or back house positions, where there is little customer interaction. This is in violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). The lawsuit, filed three years ago, includes more than 250 plaintiffs, and the discrimination occurred at 35 locations nationwide. Additional people who were not considered for jobs at the company because of their age are eligible for part of the settlement money.

Older Caucasian Men Not Employable

Seasons 52 made no secret of its discriminatory hiring practices. One manager even told the EEOC that the company did not hire older Caucasian men. Applicants for jobs were told that Seasons 52 only hires younger people, that Season 52 female employees are young and fresh, or that they were specifically looking for younger employees. Some were told they were too experienced for a job, another way of saying they were too old. More than 135 applicants swore that Seasons 52 management referred to their ages or otherwise made age-related comments during the interview process.

On Seasons 52’s career page on its website, they state that the company is always looking for enthusiastic, hard-working people dedicated to outstanding service and the culinary arts. However, the site has been updated to state that qualified applicants will be considered without regards to their age.

Consent Decree and Compliance Monitor

The consent decree includes an injunction keeping the company from displaying age discrimination in future hiring processes. The settlement requires the company to install and pay for a compliance monitor to ensure the company complies with the EEOC decree regarding its hiring and recruitment processes. Seasons 52 managers will need training in the field of legal interview questions when speaking with potential employees. Seasons 52 still claims they did not discriminate against older applicants and that they have always been EEOC compliant, according to Newsweek.

EEOC Response

Lawyers for the EEOC commented that, while age discrimination is prevalent, applicants who are not hired often do not know the reason why. They note that the EEOC has an aggressive response to companies that tend to reject older applicants.

South Jersey Age Discrimination Lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. Advocate for Workers in All Discrimination Matters

If you or a loved one has been the victim of age discrimination, you need the services of the experienced South Jersey age discrimination lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. Call us today at 215-569-1999 or contact us online for a free consultation. We are in Philadelphia, and we serve clients from the surrounding areas, including the state of New Jersey.