Report: Ottawa County sued for age discrimination

Ottawa County Faces Age Discrimination Lawsuit

OLIVE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — A man who was not picked to be an executive aide in Ottawa County is suing the county for age discrimination, the Holland Sentinel reports.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
2. Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

Background

• Ryan Kimball, a former candidate to be county administrator John Gibbs’ aide, filed the lawsuit while former county deputy administrator Patrick Waterman and current human resources director Marcie VerBeek testified under oath Tuesday at a hearing about the possible termination of county health officer Adeline Hambley.

Allegations of Age Discrimination

• The suit claims Gibbs, and therefore the county, violated the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act while he was choosing between Kimball, 49, and Jordan Epperson, 23, to fill his executive aide position.
• Gibbs had outlined qualifications he wanted in his aide including a master’s degree with experience in strategic management, a slot on the Dean’s List or Honor Roll, an undergraduate major or minor from an accredited institution, experience working internationally at the nonprofit level and at least two years’ experience serving on a major board.
• Kimball met all the requirements. Epperson met just one — a bachelor’s degree, the Holland Sentinel reports.

Testimonies

• Both Waterman and VerBeek testified that Gibbs thought there was one thing Epperson had that Kimball didn’t. Gibbs said Epperson was “young” and could be “bossed around,” the lawsuit claims.
• “(That comment) was made in the first interview when we asked him what it was about Mr. Epperson that he liked,” testified Waterman Tuesday. “We all said age shouldn’t make a difference.”
• VerBeek also testified that Gibbs said he would be able to “boss” Epperson around during a selection committee meeting. She said the selection committee did not choose Epperson to advance to the second round but Gibbs added him to the pool.
• Verbeek said she had concerns about hiring Epperson and sent an email about it, the Sentinel reports.
• “If I recall, that email said the age remark was a possible liability to the county,” Waterman testified. “I want to point out that Mr. Gibbs defined that position himself.”

Lawsuit Details

• Kimball’s suit seeks compensation for lost wages and emotional distress, attorney fees and any costs for expert witnesses, the Holland Sentinel reports. It also asks for an injunction banning any retaliation.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
2. Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

Gibbs was set to testify Wednesday in the Hambley termination hearing’s second day.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article discusses a lawsuit filed by a man who claims age discrimination in the hiring process for an executive aide position in Ottawa County. This issue is connected to SDG 8, which focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. Age discrimination in the workplace can hinder economic growth and limit opportunities for individuals.

Additionally, the issue of age discrimination relates to SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities within and among countries. Discrimination based on age contributes to inequality and can prevent individuals from accessing equal opportunities in employment.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
• Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard.

The article highlights age discrimination in the hiring process, which goes against the targets mentioned above. Target 8.5 emphasizes the importance of achieving full and productive employment and decent work for all individuals, regardless of their age. Discrimination based on age prevents equal opportunities for young people like Jordan Epperson, who was not selected for the executive aide position due to his age.

Target 10.3 focuses on reducing inequalities of outcome and eliminating discriminatory practices. Age discrimination, as mentioned in the article, is a form of discrimination that needs to be addressed in order to achieve this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No specific indicators are mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, potential indicators could include:

• Number of reported cases of age discrimination in the hiring process
• Percentage of job applicants who feel they have been discriminated against based on their age
• Percentage of organizations that have policies in place to prevent age discrimination

These indicators would provide insights into the prevalence of age discrimination in hiring practices and the effectiveness of measures taken to address this issue.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

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Source: woodtv.com

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