EEOC Files Age Discrimination Lawsuit Against Wal-Mart Stores of Texas

As we have previously noted on this blog, age discrimination claims continue to be asserted in large numbers, both in North Carolina and across the nation.  Employment discrimination on the basis of age is expressly prohibited by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”).  Furthermore, in North Carolina, age discrimination is prohibited by the North Carolina Equal Employment Practices Act. 

Recently, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) filed a civil lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores of Texas, LLC due to alleged age discrimination.  In the lawsuit, the EEOC contends that David Moorman, a 54 year old manager of a Wal-Mart store located in Keller, Texas, was the victim of unlawful age discrimination in multiple respects.  The lawsuit is instructive in demonstrating the various types of discriminatory conduct and actions that can constitute actionable discrimination.

In the complaint that initiated the lawsuit, the EEOC contends that Mr. Moorman was subjected to frequent age-based taunts from his direct supervisor, including repeated references to “old man.”  According to the EEOC’s press release on the case, the supervisor also referred to Mr. Moorman as “old food guy,” and derided him with comments such as, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”  It is further alleged that Wal-Mart took no corrective action, even after Mr. Moorman reported the conduct, that the misconduct increased, and that the store ultimately fired Mr. Moorman because of his age.

In addition, the lawsuit alleges that Wal-Mart unlawfully refused a request for accommodation of a diabetes related disability.  According to the lawsuit, Mr. Moorman requested reassignment to a store co-manager or assistant manager position after being diagnosed with the condition.  It is alleged that Wal-Mart refused to consider the request and simply rejected it without discussion.

On the basis of the above, the EEOC sued Wal-Mart for violations of the ADEA as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).  The ADEA claims are multifaceted inasmuch as the complaint refers both to a hostile work environment and a discriminatory discharge. 

The lawsuit is a good example of how multiple federal causes of action can arise as a result of an employer’s treatment, or mistreatment, of older workers.  The alleged misconduct in this case occurred during a relatively brief time period, between February of 2011 and July 11, 2011, the date of termination.  Within this relatively brief time period, it is alleged that Wal-Mart created a hostile work environment, failed to correct it upon notification of the problem, and terminated a complaining victim.  It is not clear whether the EEOC contends that Wal-Mart terminated Mr. Moorman in retaliation for his reports of harassment, but a claim for retaliatory discharge is yet another risk for employers under this scenario.  Finally, the ADA claim represents still another statutory violation that the company is alleged to have committed within a relatively brief time frame.

While surprising to read, it is not uncommon to see allegations of this nature.  The “can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” is a particularly common statement that appears to be used with some frequency in the American work place. 

As explained, the EEOC has filed this particular lawsuit on behalf of the affected worker.  Notably, just two weeks after filing the lawsuit described above, the EEOC also reported a settlement with Wal-Mart Stores East, LP, in which the company was required to pay $363,419 to resolve an action for sexual harassment and retaliation.  These recent developments show that even the nation's largest companies continue to face substantial liabilities as a result of equal employment opportunity violations.

The majority of age discrimination lawsuits are brought by private law firms after the EEOC concludes an administrative review of a Charge of Discrimination.  The cases are quite complex, both in terms of procedural and proof requirements.  If you are confronting issues or allegations of work place discrimination or harassment, it is important to seek counsel from qualified attorneys in this area.

North Carolina Federal Court Dismisses Wrongful Discharge Claims Under Both ADEA and North Carolina Equal Employment Practices Act

In previous posts, we have discussed the exacting proof that is necessary in order for a claim of age discrimination to prevail.  A United States District Court case from the Western District of North Carolina, Darnell v. Tyson Foods, Inc., demonstrates well the proof challenges an age discrimination plaintiff faces. 

As we explained in a previous post, the Court dismissed this case short of trial in part because it determined that a company’s decision to require a 63 year-old, forty year veteran employee to change to a third shift position, immediately after his return from prostate surgery, was not an adverse employment action.  The Court therefore determined that the plaintiff could not establish the second of four essential elements of a prima facie case of age discrimination.

In its decision, the Court also found that the plaintiff failed to establish the fourth and final element of the required prima facie case of age discrimination.  Recall from our prior posts that this fourth element requires a showing that the employment position from which the plaintiff was terminated remained open or that the plaintiff was replaced by a substantially younger individual.

In this case, the plaintiff was eventually replaced by a 57 year-old man.  In other words, the plaintiff’s replacement was only six years younger.  The Court therefore assessed whether a six year difference in age was sufficient to constitute replacement by a substantially younger individual.  After noting that the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals (which is the Circuit that oversees North Carolina federal district courts), the Court found that sister circuits have generally found age differences of less than ten years insufficient to satisfy this prima facie case element.  The Court then determined, “[a]bsent any evidence to suggest discrimination, the six year age difference in this case is not sufficient by itself to satisfy the substantially younger requirement.”  Consequently, the plaintiff’s prima facie case failed for this further reason.

In the absence of a prima facie case of age discrimination, the plaintiff’s primary claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) was dismissed via summary judgment.

Finally, the plaintiff had also asserted an alternative claim for wrongful discharge under North Carolina state law.  The plaintiff based this claim on N.C. Stat.Gen § 143–422.2, a statute recognizing that it is against North Carolina public policy for an employer of 15 or more to discriminate, “on account of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap.”  The statute is found in North Carolina’s Equal Employment Practices Act.  In its opinion, the Court made short work in dismissing this alternative claim for the same reasons cited in dismissing the federal age discrimination claim.  In this way, the Court concluded, as have other federal courts to consider the issue, that the North Carolina public policy claim is subject to the same analysis and proof standards as the analogous federal law cause of action.

Darnell demonstrates well the proof difficulties that claims of age discrimination face.  In addition, the case confirms that North Carolina public policy claims are hardly a panacea for claimants.  Although claims pursued under North Carolina’s Equal Employment Practices Act offers certain advantages, such as a longer limitations period and the option of foregoing EEOC administrative review, these claims are ultimately subject to the same substantive analysis and demanding proof requirements as claims pursued under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.