GREENVILLE, S.C. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Sept. 1 against Keer America Corporation, a textile manufacturing company in Indian Land, South Carolina, for allegations of firing a 47-year-old sales leader due to his age.
The EEOC says the company fired Scott Gamble after only two weeks on the job, allegedly after learning his age. Gamble had been offered a job by Keer America’s human resources generalist April 18, 2015, and Gamble began work April 27.
According to the EEOC, the plant manager of the company learned of Gamble’s age after seeing his driver’s license and ordered the human resources generalist to rescind Gamble’s offer. The generalist allegedly refused. On May 8, the plant manager purportedly fired Gamble. Alleged conduct of this nature violates the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).
"People who are 40 and over are fully capable of being productive workers," said Lynette A. Barnes, regional attorney for the EEOC's Charlotte District Office. "Employers must remember that they cannot consider age in hiring selections or other employment decisions."
The EEOC seeks back pay for Gamble, as well as injunctive relief against the company to prevent future discrimination.