EEOC Sues Manufacturer Hutchinson Sealing Systems for Age Discrimination

Jan. 23, 2012
Agency says Michigan firm laid off engineers based on age.

Hutchinson Sealing Systems, an Auburn, Mich.-based manufacturer of parts for the auto, aerospace and other industries, laid off engineers based on their age, in violation of federal law, alleged the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in a lawsuit filed Jan.20.

According to the lawsuit, Hutchinson Sealing Systems manipulated its criteria for selecting project engineers for layoff.

In a first round of layoffs, a 62-year-old engineer was laid off. He also was the oldest engineer, according to the EEOC.

In another round of layoffs the following month, two more engineers, ages 51 and 48, were laid off. They were the second- and third-oldest project engineers, the agency reports.

The EEOC says the manufacturer failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for employing a new set of layoff criteria for the latter two layoffs just one month after the first. If the company had employed the same criteria for the second and third layoff that it did for the first, two much younger engineers would have been let go, charges the federal agency.

The alleged conduct violates the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967.

The EEOC it is seeking monetary relief for all three engineers, as well as reinstatement and anti-discrimination training for the manufacturer.

The suit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Modern Edge Computing Accelerates Smart Manufacturing Initiatives for Discrete Manufacturers

Oct. 22, 2023
Discover how Edge Computing platforms are a requisite for discrete manufacturers to solve production challenges, accelerate digitalization, and establish a reliable infrastructure...

Discrete and Process Manufacturing 2024 Trends and Outlook for North America

Oct. 29, 2023
Manufacturers are reaping the benefits of automation and cloud-based solutions. Discover what is driving today's industry trends and how they can shape your growth priorities ...

How to Build Zero-Cost On-Site Solar and Storage Projects

Nov. 25, 2023
The Inflation Reduction Act offers tax credits, incentives, and financing that enable no-cost projects. In Enel’s eBook, discover the critical role that incentives play in your...

Lean Manufacturing in the Age of the Industrial Internet

Oct. 24, 2023
Read how advanced MES capabilities can help you improve your labor utilization, reduce WIP, and optimize your production. Download the white paper today.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!