Plano-based Dr. Pepper Snapple Group (DPSG) got hit with a massive age discrimination verdict, one that will send shockwaves to other companies, reports Employer Brief.
The lawsuit, originally filed in 2009, alleged that six workers with more than twenty years of tenure, and over the age of 50, were forced out of their jobs. Their allegations were stark; namely, that they had been driven out and eliminated by being put in job positions where they might get injured or voluntarily quit.
As a result of the more strenuous jobs, the workers got all sorts of physical ailments, reports Employer Brief.
Federal and state laws prevent an employer from discriminating against job applicants and employees on the basis of age. The best known example of these laws, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), prohibits employers from discriminating against employers and applicants who are 40 years of age and older based on their age.
Claims of unlawful discrimination on the basis of age can be difficult to prove. To successfully prove an employee was discriminated against on the basis of age, the employee must show that some adverse action was taken on the basis of his or her age. It is not enough for an employee to show that he or she was replaced by a younger person, although this fact can serve to strengthen a claim under the ADEA. An employee may waive his or her rights under the ADEA at the request of an employer, in exchange for a severance package or other consideration.
The ADEA is a complicated area of employment law and it is best to consult with a Houston Employment Law attorney if you suspect you might have a claim.
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