Amended ADEA's effects on HR strategies remain dubious
Article Abstract:
Amendments to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) have made it illegal for employers to require workers to retire upon attaining a certain age, protect employees "with respect to (their) compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment" from the age of 40 through 70, and ensure that employees receive group health insurance coverage unaffected by age. The resulting increases in employee benefit costs and in exposure to discrimination lawsuits are discussed. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reported a 66 percent increase in age discrimination suits brought against employers in 1985 and a 200 percent increase in such lawsuits from 1980 to 1984. Other personnel management areas affected by the ADEA amendments are also discussed, including: cafeteria benefits, retirement planning, employment of young people, health and fitness programs, training, and job design.
Publication Name: Personnel Journal
Subject: Human resources and labor relations
ISSN: 0031-5745
Year: 1987
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
A new frontier in wrongful discharge
Article Abstract:
Meech vs. Hillhaven West Inc, a June 1989 Montana Supreme Court decision that upheld the constitutionality of the state's Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act, may have a significant effect on employers in the entire nation. The act has since been modeled by several other states, and a draft law was published by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. Employers have supported the law because it limits punitive damages and clarifies the grounds for wrongful discharge. Under the act, wrongful discharge refers to any discharge that was not for good cause, and employers must prove good cause. The act states that wrongfully discharged employees are entitled to lost wages and benefits not exceeding four years from the date of the discharge, limiting the damages for a long-term worker who may have incurred significant actual damages. The Meech case is discussed in detail.
Publication Name: Personnel Journal
Subject: Human resources and labor relations
ISSN: 0031-5745
Year: 1991
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Strategic human resources: a new source for competitive advantage in the global arena. Multinational corporation management strategies and international human resources practices: bringing IHRM to the bottom line
- Abstracts: Amenities and the labor earnings function. Alcohol in the workplace: a research note. Managing human resource shortages in a unionized setting: best practices in air traffic control
- Abstracts: A problematic transition to a strategic role: human resource management in industrial enterprises in China
- Abstracts: EMF reviews progress on coordinated bargaining strategy. 2004 bargaining round in focus
- Abstracts: Strengthening the weak link in strategic executive development: integrating individual development and global business strategy