Two questions: First, I worked six years for a company and exceeded the goals set for me. I am 63 years old. To my complete surprise, I was called into the supervisor’s office, and told the company is having financial issues and am being let go. There is a severance “package” offered if I sign a release, which is multiple pages of legalese. I have learned that six others were let go, so a total of seven being terminated, all of whom are older than 50.
In your situation, the fact all being let go are older than 50 raises at least a pink flag. The employer indicates the terminations are for economic reasons. Perhaps you and the others have a higher salary than younger employees. The use of salary as a basis for differentiating between employees, however, can be age discrimination if it adversely impacts older workers as a group.
A number of lawyers and law firms specialize in employment matters. I encourage you to promptly seek out qualified counsel to discuss the situation, and learn about your options and the time frames, and go over any written severance package that has been submitted to you .Second question: What are the damages I can seek if my being fired is, in fact, age discrimination?A victim of age discrimination at work can seek damages that depend on the type of wrong involved.
If it is shown that the employer intentionally discriminated against the employee based on age, then the latter could be entitled to liquidated damages . There also is a possibility that if the victim prevails in a lawsuit, the employer will have to pay the employee’s legal fees and court costs. With all this in mind, as I stated above to your first inquiry: Consult with qualified counsel.