Company Told Applicant "Age Will Matter," Federal Agency Says

NEWARK, N.J. --- Diverse Lynx, LLC, a Princeton, New Jersey-based IT staffing firm with offices in Princeton and Noida, India, will pay $50,000 and will undertake significant remedial measures to settle an age discrimination lawsuit brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today.

The EEOC alleged that Diverse Lynx violated the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) when, after learning an applicant's date of birth, the company sent the applicant an email stating that he would no longer be considered for the position because he was "born in 1945" and "age will matter." The ADEA prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of age, including discrimination in referrals by employment agencies.

Under the consent decree entered by the Court, Diverse Lynx is prohibited from considering an applicant's age when deciding whether to refer them to a job opening. In addition, Diverse Lynx may not request or solicit an applicant's year of birth before referring the applicant to a prospective employer. Diverse Lynx has agreed that it will provide its employees, including its managers and supervisors, with live training that addresses federal anti-discrimination laws, and complaint and reporting procedures. Diverse Lynx also agrees that it will not retaliate against persons who complain of discriminatory conduct or practices.

"A basic principle of anti-discrimination law requires that job applicants be judged on their individual qualifications. Employers and employment agencies that consider an applicant's protected trait, such as age, violate federal law and will be prosecuted," said EEOC senior trial attorney Rosemary DiSavino.

Kevin Berry, district director of the EEOC's New York District Office, added, "This case should send a clear message that federal anti-discrimination laws apply to employment agencies as well as employers. An employment agency's refusal to refer a qualified applicant because of the applicant's age is a plain violation of the ADEA."