Smithfield Foods Hates Older Workers

Federal government sues Big Pork for age discrimination

We should all know Smithfield as an unethical Big Meat company that has been cited countless times for its horrific treatment of animals and plant workers. Now we can add age discrimination to that mix.

Last week the federal Employment Equal Opportunity Commission announced its lawsuit against Smithfield for violating the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

The company tried to claim the termination was part of a "reduction in force" (HATE that phrase) but here is the thing: federal law requires companies to share information about the ages of both who they let go and who they kept when layoffs involve employees age 40 or over to demonstrate the layoffs are not discriminatory.

OOPSIE, doesn't look good for Smithfield, here is the breakdown:

==> 5 of 6 FIRED employees were 55 years or older
==> 14 of 18 employees KEPT were under the age of 55

EEOC says this violates the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which prohibits age discrimination against individuals 40 and older.

Please remember, age discrimination STARTS at age 40!

From the EEOC release:

“The ADEA clearly prohibits the termination of employees 40 and older because of their age. Smithfield Foods violated that law when it discharged this employee as part of a reduction-in-force that disproportionately affected workers 55 and older."

“The age of employees should play no role in their employer’s decisions about their employment. The EEOC is committed to enforcing the ADEA to protect the rights of aggrieved employees.”

Sometimes the feds get it right. Hope she gets a Big Reward.

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