3M Settles Age Discrimination Suit with EEOC

3M, a global technology company, has agreed to pay $3 million to a class of former employees to resolve a nationwide age discrimination lawsuit filed by the EEOC.

According to the EEOC, 3M unlawfully laid off hundreds of employees over the age of 40 during a series of reductions in force (RIFs) from July 1, 2003 through Dec. 31, 2006. The EEOC also alleged that older employees were denied leadership training and laid off to make way for younger leaders.

The consent decree provides that 3M will pay $3 million in monetary relief to approximately 290 former employees. In addition, 3M will implement a review process for termination decisions and training on how to prevent age bias. The company will also post openings for positions it had not advertised previously, to enable older employees to apply. For the next three years, 3M will report to the EEOC on its compliance, provide RIF information to the EEOC and post a notice about the settlement.