What are my rights if I was fired from a job with the only stated reason being that the new CEO decided that a credential was required for my position?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What are my rights if I was fired from a job with the only stated reason being that the new CEO decided that a credential was required for my position?
I am over 45. The interim person was under 40 but has a credential. Less than 5 months after I was let go. The job opening has been posted for permanent employment and the position description is exactly the same as when I was hired for it, with no requirement for the credential. I live and work in an “at will” state but I’m wondering if this is this age discrimination? I thought that the position had to be significantly different when they rehire, especially when they rehire so soon after letting someone go, however the position description is exactly the same.
Asked on November 20, 2015 under Employment Labor Law, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
No, there is no legal requirement that the position be significantly different when rehiring. The issue is, will the permanent person who is ultimately hired 1) be under 40; and 2) if he/she is, does he or she have a relevant credential which you lack? If the person is over 40, then it's not age discrimination to replace one over-40 with another; or if he/she has a relevant credential which you lack, it is most likely not age discrimination to "upgrade" job requirements to require a credential.
If the permanent replacement is under 40 and doesn't have different/higher-level credentials than you, however, then that may be illegal age-based employment discrimination, and you may wish to speak with the federal EEOC or your state equal/civil rights agency about filing a complaint.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.