Business owners may find themselves in court for all sorts of reasons, from breaking the terms of a contract to copyright infringement. However, discrimination has become a particularly challenging topic for many businesses. Whether discrimination allegations are true or blown out of proportion, they can have a significant impact on a Chicago business’ future, potentially leading to a negative reputation and resulting in costly penalties.
A business in Chicago was recently hit with a lawsuit over accusations that it discriminated against employees based on their age. The lawsuit involves four workers who are in their 50’s and 60’s, all of whom were given a notice informing them of their right to sue from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In the suit, one worker claims that he was transferred to another location as an act of retaliation for filing a complaint with the EEOC.
The workers, who were all men employed by a grocery store, also accuse their employer of denying them opportunities that were given to employees who were younger. Moreover, the men say that they received a considerable amount of criticism on the job. Two of the men were fired during 2015, while the other two are currently on disability leave. In their suit, the workers have asked for benefits and lost wages.
For business owners who are facing litigation over alleged discrimination, taking an individualized approach and reviewing the details of the situation is essential. Making sense of these matters can be tricky, which is why some have decided to turn to an expert legal professional for guidance.
Source: Chicago Tribune, “Jewel-Osco sued for alleged age discrimination,” Greg Trotter, Jan 18, 2017