Workers of all ages in New York deserve and expect equal treatment. However, discrimination still occurs in workplaces all over the state. A case in point involves a class-action lawsuit recently filed against Starbucks for age discrimination.
What is the lawsuit against Starbucks?
Starbucks recently implemented a youth recruitment program to draw younger people to apply for positions. However, a longtime worker at one of its stores claimed that he was passed over for a management promotion.
According to the 59 year old employee, the position was given to another, younger employee instead and that shortly after, he was terminated without warning. He alleged that the youth recruitment program was simply a ploy by Starbucks to hire younger employees and push out those 40 and older like himself.
After the employee was fired, he sought legal help. After many current and former employees age 40+ joined the lawsuit, asserting similar allegations, a class action lawsuit was filed in November 2021 against the coffee giant for age discrimination.
How does Starbucks respond?
Starbucks promptly denied the claims made by the 59-year-old former employee. A spokesperson said that the company is strict about these issues, has a firm anti-discrimination policy and doesn’t tolerate any type of discrimination when hiring or maintaining employees.
What are the warning signs of age discrimination in employment?
Age discrimination practices can come in many forms, including both for current employees and applicants. For example, if a company’s job ad specifically requests new college graduates, it insinuates that the company is likely seeking prospective employees in their early 20s rather than older individuals.
Another subtle recruitment tool is via the use of certain social media platforms. Some employers may advertise on certain platforms that younger individuals are known to utilize exclusively or more so than older people.
Fortunately, those who believe they have faced age discrimination have rights and should never be hesitant to stand up for those rights.
