EEOC Settles Suit for Age Bias and Retaliation

Collegiate Development Services, a Texas developer of housing facilities, has agreed to pay $50,000 to settle an age discrimination and retaliation lawsuit brought by the EEOC.

According to the EEOC, Collegiate’s Director of Market Research told the Assistant Property Manager that Velda Poole, the company’s 62 year-old Property Manager, was “too old to connect with the college-age residents”. When Poole learned of the age-based comment and informed higher management, she was fired. The Assistant Property Manager objected to the firing of Poole and was also terminated. The EEOC filed a lawsuit against Collegiate alleging both age discrimination and retaliation.

The consent decree settling the suit provided that, in addition to the $50,000 payment to the victims, the company must provide training to managers and supervisors on equal employment opportunity policies and procedures, including on age discrimination and retaliation. The company is also required to establish and enforce a written policy and procedure that will ensure protections and fair treatment for employees.