McDonalds sued for age discrimination

In Los Angelos, fast food chain McDonalds has been sued for age discrimination. As reported here in the Los Angelos Daily News, seven former employees of a McDonald’s restaurant in Northridge have brought proceedings in which they allege that they were fired because they were over 40 years old. In fact, the full complaint alleges age discrimination, wrongful termination and intentional infliction of emotional distress. They are seeking unspecified damages.

The detail provided alleges that they lost their jobs as a result of a deliberate campaign by a new store manager to replace these staff members with a younger crew. Specifically, it’s alleged that the manager said she only wanted “puro gente joven” (meaning ‘only young people’) and that she “did not want old people to staff the Parthenia restaurant”.

The specific ages of all seven former employees isn’t given here (other than that they are over 40), though two of them are said to be 52 and 63. Interesting that this happens in the same week as a report by the Institute of Leadership and Management finds that older workers are unfairly overlooked. As reported here in the Independent, the survey found that managers rated team members aged 51 and over far lower than younger age groups for their keenness to learn, develop and progress. They also often wrongly assume that those 50 plus lack the desire and interest to progress into more senior leadership roles.