Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost one in five employees in the United States are above the age of 55. As the number of baby boomers in the workplace continues to rise so does the number of age discrimination claims, though documented claims represent only a portion of the total number of employees who are forced out of their job due to their age. While the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 shelters employees 40 and over, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2009 made it harder to demonstrate age discrimination. Many lawsuits are found to be invalid, or settled without assigning blame, while others find the employer clearly at fault. One example of the latter is the age discrimination case brought against Daimler Trucks North America LLC by ex-Daimler supervisor Josef Loczi.
Ageism in the Global Workplace
Formerly known as Freightliner Corporation, Daimler Trucks North America LLC is an automotive industry producer of marketable
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Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has an abundance of policy guidance documents related to age discrimination that the company can use to help create successful anti-ageism policies and procedures. Ageism is the term for a negative attitude toward aging or older persons and can be avoided completely by using appropriate language to communicate with older employees. One strategy that works well for reducing age discrimination is the structured contact theory, which encourages interactive and planned contact between employees of all ages ("Aging, Disability, and Adapted Physical Activity," 2011). By giving employees a common goal to focus on, Daimler would allow first-hand exposure to the capabilities and skill set of each employee, reducing any negative beliefs or stereotypes about the aging workforce. The company should also give rewards and terminations based on performance and not tenure, basing promotions and benefits, as well as layoffs, on the employee’s value to the company as opposed to their