Veteran NFL Security Personnel File Lawsuit Claiming Age Discrimination

Recently, it was reported that nine veteran NFL security personnel have decided to file a lawsuit against the league citing age discrimination. The men, who happen to be in their 60’s and 70’s, claim the NFL laid them off without justification and subsequently replaced them with a much younger staff. The men, who held independent contractor positions, also allege they were misclassified and treated as employees; making it easier for the league to dismiss veteran employees.

Unfortunately, the claims made by these men against their former employer are not uncommon and not limited to sports. In fact, employers across industries use common illegal tactics to discriminate against employees based on their age. However, it is crucial for employees to act should they believe they’re being retaliated and discriminated against at work. If you are the victim of age discrimination, here are some steps you can take to protect your rights.

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How to Deal with Age Discrimination at Work

Speak to Your Supervisor

Addressing the issue head-on is important. If you feel you are being discriminated against based on your age, speak to your manager or supervisor. Be sure to cite instances and ask how the issue can be resolved. Make it a point to document the date, time and discussion of your meeting in the event you later choose to file a claim of age discrimination.

If you are unable to come to a resolution with your manager or supervisor, go to your Human Resources Department and file a complaint. You want to ensure you are diligent in addressing and resolving the issue and creating a paper trail along the way.

Collect Evidence

Should you decide to sue your employer for age discrimination, it is important to have documentation on hand. It will serve as your evidence to assist in proving your case.

First, you will need to provide documentation proving you were competent enough to fulfill your professional duties both physically and mentally. Performance evaluations can prove helpful in this regard, as they will show exactly how well you performed your job on a daily basis.

Keep a journal of your experiences as well. Document any discriminatory comment or actions taken with the dates and those involved. Should you file any complaints, be sure to obtain copies.

Are there other fellow employees facing the same form of discrimination? Compare notes and determine if there is a pattern. Ensure you take the same steps to resolve the problem internally. You can work as a team to negotiate with your employer.

Hire an Attorney

Sometimes, filing complaints at work does not work. If you have been unable to resolve the discrimination issues at work or were wrongfully terminated due to your age, you need to contact an experienced Employment and Labor Law attorney.

Your employer has an attorney on retainer who is ready to fight any claims of retaliation or harassment against their client. You should have the same level of protection. An employee rights attorney can navigate the complicated legal channels and ensure the rights steps are taken to prove your case. They have the resources and negotiating tactics you need to defend your workplace rights.

Contact an Employee Rights Attorney in Florida

Were you illegally terminated from your job or facing other forms of retaliation and discrimination based on your age? Contact Wenzel Fenton Cabassa, P.A. today to schedule your free, confidential consultation. We have represented thousands of workplace retaliation and discrimination cases and aggressively fight and advocate for the rights of employees in the Tampa Bay area and throughout Florida.