Google Sued for Age Discrimination

More than 200 Google employees have filed a class action lawsuit against the tech giant. They claim the company violated the Age Discrimination in Employment Act by hiring younger candidates over older, equally qualified individuals. Each of the plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit is 40 years of age or older, which they claim was the reason why they were not hired. Google agreed to pay an undisclosed amount to each of the plaintiffs, but the parties have not yet settled on the non-monetary component of the settlement.

The lawsuit, which was originally filed in 2015, alleged that if an older worker applied for the same position as a similarly qualified younger worker, Google was less likely to hire the older worker based on age. In fact, one plaintiff claimed that she was told to include her graduation date on her resume so that the Google recruiter could determine her approximate age. This is a violation of federal law. According to Google employees, there is also a widely known internal code word, known as “Googleyness,” that is used to describe young employees. Google agreed that the term exists, but that it refers to other factors, like the ability to accept constructive feedback and the ability to be a team player.

Google went on to defend itself by saying that its company handbook addresses age discrimination and the fact that it is against the law to withhold employment to an individual based on age. However, the Court case was more interested in the company’s employment track record than what is written in Google’s handbook.

In addition, the Department of Labor found incidences of “extreme” age discrimination at Google after it conducted its own investigation. This may have been a factor in Google’s decision to settle.

Any employee who feels that he or she has been discriminated against based on age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected class is urged to contact a reputable employment lawyer. The law protects victims of age discrimination and all other forms of employment discrimination.

Philadelphia Employment Lawyers at the Law Office of Sidkoff, Pincus & Green P.C. Represent Clients in Age Discrimination Cases

If you or someone you know has been discriminated against at work because of your age, you are urged to contact the Philadelphia employment lawyers at the Law Office of Sidkoff, Pincus & Green P.C. To schedule a consultation, call us at 215-574-0600 or contact us online today. Our offices are conveniently located in Philadelphia, where we serve clients throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey.