Reduction in force or age-based discrimination?

Description

Abstract: When a reduction in force (RIF) affects an employee in a protected class, it’s not unusual for a discrimination claim to arise. When an employee in his mid-50s was among several workers laid off following a merger, he sued on the grounds of age discrimination. The employee tried to show discrimination both directly and indirectly, but the employer prevailed — largely because it had thoroughly analyzed the merits and deficiencies of those who were under consideration for the reduction and was able to support its process through objective evidence.