Sears Settles EEOC Age Discrimination Suit

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A Corpus Christi Sears store will pay more than $30,000 and furnish other relief to settle an age discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

The EEOC’s lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Corpus Christi Division (Civil Action No. 2:09-cv-00253), alleged that Sears #1217, located at 1305 Airline Road, refused to hire a then 61-year-old applicant into an entry-level loss prevention/asset protection position despite his qualifications and 27 years of investigative experience. Such alleged conduct violates the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). The EEOC filed suit after first attempting to reach a voluntary settlement.

Under the terms of the consent decree settling the suit, signed by U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack on July 14, 2010, Sears will take the following actions with respect to Store #1217: (1) require all members of management with supervisory authority  to review and agree in writing to comply with Sears’ equal employment opportunity/ADEA policy; (2) provide training on the requirements of the ADEA to all members of Sears’ management with supervisory authority and/or the authority to hire, promote, terminate and/or demote employees ; (3) post a notice confirming Sears’ intent not to discriminate against any employee and/or applicant for employment in violation of ADEA; and (4) pay $30,750 to the applicant it refused to hire.