Was just wondering if anyone noticed anything just before the voluntary separation emails were received over the last couple of years. About two or three weeks before the email came, we had an office meeting. Before the meeting started, the manager was saying how the company prefers to have younger employees because they do things without questioning management and are generally more flexible. I thought it was a little strange that this would be openly stated. The timing of this meeting and that discussion is suspicious. Now I'm wondering if this was planned by management to put doubt in the minds of the older employees when the separation emails went out and be more likely to take the offer. Anyone else experience anything like this?
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It wouldn't surprise me if some employees have recordings of management making these comments. I wonder what a lawyer could do with that? Generally I agree that if offered a decent deal you should probably take it. However, before covid it was hard for someone over 55 to find a job, now it's next to impossible.
I actually talked to a lawyer about this when I perceived they were trying to push me out due to age. Fortunately I think received very good counsel on this matter.
What I was told was age discrimination is likely the common form of discrimination today. Nearly every company has some form of bias against older workers or applicants. Unfortunately it is the hardest to prove and the laws to prevent it are the weakest. The lawyer looked at my case and agreed it looked like there was something there, but since there were other workers my age not be affected it would be hard to meet the burden of proof. They looked at the VSIP offer and suggested I take it if ever offered again as they felt it would be the best possible outcome for me. They cautioned that some lawyers looking to make a quick buck will give you a consultation, promise to look into it further, then call Ricoh to say they are acting on your behalf. Once that was done the company would go into full defense mode. Most cases of these type are settled for less than $25 to $50k including the lawyer fees. VSIP offered more than that.
There is a large amount of info on the internet of how companies push out older workers. Please do yourself a favor and read some of it. I know my case read like a text book example.
Hopefully the plight of older worker will get more attention as so many of us were impacted by COVID layoffs. In many of the high tech firms they start pushing people at 35.
A group of 7 took them to court for this in GA and won. In 2019.
Assuming that management was trying to coerce the older employees to leave, I would think that the document that the employees had to sign upon accepting the deal would be nullified, especially the non-compete clauses. How can you trick people into leaving and then expect them not to work in the industry for two years? Criminal!
Yes, the program was directed at people 55 and older. I wonder about the legality of such tactics though. Management refused to talk to me about the decision to leave or stay, but then made off the record comments to encourage you to leave. They walk a fine line between above board policy and age discrimination. Just the fact that a manager actually said that the company prefers younger employees is over the line, in my opinion.
Yes I experienced the same thing. I agree with your sentiment it was openly said that VSIP was meant to target an representation of older workers in the workforce.