Raytheon sued for age discrimination in hiring, favoring recent college grads
Raytheon sued for age discrimination in hiring practices The Washington Post
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Age Discrimination Lawsuit against Raytheon
Introduction
A 67-year-old Virginia man, Mark Goldstein, has filed a lawsuit against Raytheon, one of the country’s largest defense contractors, for age discrimination in its hiring process. The lawsuit, filed by the AARP Foundation on behalf of Goldstein, alleges that Raytheon favors recent college graduates over older workers. This report highlights the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and emphasizes the importance of combating age discrimination in employment.
Age Discrimination Allegations
- The lawsuit claims that Raytheon uses phrases such as “recent college graduate” or “new graduate” in its job listings, indicating a preference for young people.
- For certain positions, the company requires applicants to have a college degree and less than one or two years of work experience, excluding older workers.
- Goldstein, with 40 years of experience in project management, cybersecurity, and tech, met all the requirements for the positions he applied for, except for being a recent college graduate.
Response from Raytheon
Raytheon’s spokesperson, Chris Johnson, stated that the claims are “entirely without merit” and the company complies with age discrimination laws, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining a diverse workforce.
Potential Class Action Lawsuit
The AARP Foundation seeks to make the lawsuit a class action on behalf of other individuals who may have experienced age discrimination in Raytheon’s hiring process. Tens of thousands of older Americans could be eligible to join the class action.
Importance of Combating Age Discrimination
Public interest lawyer Peter Romer-Friedman, representing Goldstein, stated that this lawsuit is the first of many similar class-action suits against employers alleging age discrimination. The aim is to send a strong message that excluding older workers through “recent college graduate” requirements is not acceptable.
Legal Framework and Previous Findings
- Federal law prohibits employers from discriminating against job applicants and employees who are 40 years or older based on age.
- In 2021, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) found that Raytheon’s practices of hiring recent college graduates violated the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967.
- Raytheon made slight changes to its job postings after the EEOC’s finding but continued to exclude older workers through different language.
- The lawsuit also alleges that Raytheon’s hiring practices violated the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Act.
Conclusion
Age discrimination in employment, particularly in tech-related companies, has a devastating effect on older workers seeking job opportunities. It is crucial to address this issue and ensure equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of age or experience.
Source: washingtonpost.com
