Employees in California are protected against unlawful discrimination. Individuals who have suffered workplace discrimination have recourse, and they don’t have to face these situations alone. A former Amtrak employee in another state recently filed an age discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and has now commenced a federal lawsuit against his former employers.
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff’s employment with Amtrak started in 1988 when he was appointed as a train attendant. Promotion to a position in management followed in 2006, and the new position required him to relocate to another state. The plaintiff was laid off toward the end of 2013, purportedly as part of a staff reduction program. The plaintiff, who was 58 years old at that time, contends he submitted applications for similar positions with the company, but was rejected on every occasion while younger individuals were appointed.
The plaintiff’s seniority in the union allowed him to secure a non-management position. However, remuneration was substantially lower, and benefits were also compromised. While working in the lower-paying position, the plaintiff asserts he continued to pursue applications for management positions without success.
The plaintiff is seeking a jury trial and has asked for monetary losses, including past and future wages as well as emotional distress. In addition, he seeks reinstatement to a managerial position and payment of his legal fees. California employees who are victims of workplace discrimination may find comfort in knowing that attorneys are available to help. An experienced labor law attorney will have an in-depth knowledge of employment discrimination laws and will fight to achieve an optimal result.
Source: louisianarecord.com, “Employee says Amtrak guilty of age discrimination”, Molly English-Bowers, Nov. 18, 2015