Telecommunications giant AT&T has agreed to settle a workplace discrimination lawsuit that was filed a little more than two years ago in federal court. The age discrimination lawsuit was a class action effort brought on behalf of a number of retired workers who sought re-employment with the telecommunications company. The workers had participated in enhanced severance programs or had been given early retirement packages that were offered in a variety of programs between 1998 and 2007. The programs were reportedly offered by AT&T and a number of its subsidiaries.

The workers claimed that after participating in the retirement programs, AT&T refused to allow the workers to work as contractors and restricted the former workers from being reemployed with AT&T after taking an early retirement package.

Many of the former workers needed to continue to work, despite the retirement packages. An East Coast regional attorney for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says, "All employees, regardless of their age, should be permitted to compete for jobs equally. That is the fundamental right the [Age Discrimination in Employment Act] grants to older workers."

AT&T denied any wrongdoing in the settlement agreement. Many retired workers who have found the need to work in the troubled U.S. economy will now be able to apply for jobs with the telecommunications company. AT&T is reportedly the largest telecommunications company in the world.

The ADEA, the federal law that the age discrimination lawsuit was brought under, is not the only law against workplace discrimination that Ohio workers have to protect them. State and federal laws protect workers from discrimination in the workplace. Many people age 40 and over may not be aware of the protections state and federal laws provide against workplace age discrimination.

Any Ohio resident who believes they have been subjected to workplace discrimination should consider speaking with an experienced Cincinnati employment law attorney for an assessment of individual circumstances and what relief may be legally available to remedy any discriminatory practices.

Source: EEOC, "AT&T Settles EEOC Age Discrimination Lawsuit," Oct. 26, 2011