Age discrimination suit against automaker

On Behalf of | Mar 15, 2017 | Workplace Discrimination

New York residents who have been victims of age discrimination in the workplace may be interested in the developments of a class action lawsuit that has been filed against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. It is the second discrimination lawsuit that has been filed against the company in two months. The plaintiffs allege that older employees are mistreated during their performance evaluations. This results in fewer promotions and lower pay than their younger co-workers.

One of the allegations is that the employees’ photographs are a part of the performance review process at Fiat Chrysler. According to the lawsuit, which was filed on Feb. 27, 2017, in a federal court, upper-level managers at the company generally do not work with the employees that they evaluate and maintain a display of the workers’ photographs in front of them while giving performance ratings.

The upper-level managers allegedly routinely give employees who are 55 years of age and older lower scores, even if the immediate supervisors of the employees give them highly favorable reviews. The class action claims that the resulting lower pay and fewer promotions indicate that older workers are victims of a review process that is biased against them.

According to an attorney for the plaintiffs, the use of an employee’s photograph during the review is particularly disturbing as it seems that employees are being judged by their appearance. The attorney asserts that it has no value in the determination of an employee’s performance for the year.

People who are victims of discrimination in the workplace based on their race, sex, national origin, age or disability may have legal recourse. An attorney who practices employment law may advise clients of how they may obtain compensation if the discrimination resulted in rescinded job offers, lower wages, demotions, denied promotions, terminations, retaliation or other forms of harassment.

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