[Co-author: Maryann McGinn, Paralegal]

Earlier this month the EEOC announced that it had reached a settlement with Seasons 52, national restaurant chain. The Florida-based restaurant chain has agreed to pay $2.85 million to settle a nationwide age discrimination lawsuit brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Over 135 applicants provided sworn testimony that during interviews for positions at Seasons 52 across the country, managers asked them directly about their age or made age-related comments, stating that Seasons 52 hires younger people. The EEOC’s lawsuit sought relief for applicants aged 40 and over who were ultimately denied employment at Seasons 52.

In addition to the financial settlement, the settlement agreement will require Seasons 52 to make significant changes to its recruiting and hiring processes and it will require the company to pay for a decree compliance monitor.

It is important that your hiring practices do not include any form of age discrimination especially as it relates to training managers on their obligations under the law.