DALLAS, Texas (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced a lawsuit Sept. 26 against CBS Stations Group of Texas for allegedly refusing to hire Tammy Campbell for a traffic reporter position because of her age.
"Tammy Campbell was clearly qualified for the position of traffic reporter," EEOC senior trial attorney Joel Clark said. "We are confident that the station's ratings were favorable during the time that she filled in as the morning traffic reporter. But the station clearly preferred a younger face and a less-qualified applicant based on unfounded stereotypes about female reporters in broadcast television."
According to allegations, Campbell worked for the defendants as a “freelance, non-staff traffic reporter,” beginning in 2013. Campbell applied to a full-time position in 2014 when the defendants’ on-staff traffic reporter resigned. Campbell had extensive experience in traffic reporting and extensive experience in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area, both of which were listed as requirements on the job application the defendants created.
The defendants allegedly hired a 24-year-old who had no professional broadcasting experience and no experience in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area. Such purported conduct violates the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
"This year marks the 50th anniversary of the ADEA, and while the law itself is getting 'older,' it remains very relevant and continues to make a positive difference in the workplace,” said Robert A. Canino, regional attorney for the Dallas District Office. “That's often the same thing that could be said for older employees who can certainly contribute to the success of a business if they're given the opportunity."