J&M Industries Settles Age Discrimination Case for $105,000 Following EEOC Lawsuit

J&M Industries, Inc., based in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, has reached a settlement with a former employee over allegations of age discrimination, agreeing to a $105,000 payment. This settlement resolves a lawsuit initiated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which accused the company of violating the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). The dispute arose when J&M Industries reportedly dismissed an employee for her refusal to retire upon reaching the age of 65, an action that directly contradicts federal law prohibiting employment discrimination based on age.

The case highlights a significant breach of the ADEA, which aims to protect employees 40 years of age and older from discrimination in the workplace. According to the EEOC, a manager at J&M Industries persistently inquired about the employee’s retirement plans as she neared her 65th birthday. Despite her clear intention to continue working, the company allegedly terminated her employment under the pretext of position elimination due to economic concerns, only to hire a younger replacement shortly thereafter.

As part of the settlement, J&M Industries has committed to a three-year consent decree, which includes the financial compensation for back pay and liquidated damages to the aggrieved former employee. Additionally, the company is required to undertake measures to prevent future discrimination, such as revising its policies, conducting employee training on age discrimination, and maintaining regular reporting to the EEOC. The agreement also mandates the posting of a notice outlining J&M Industries’ obligations under the ADEA, reinforcing the importance of adherence to federal employment discrimination laws.