Shegerian & Associates Founder Applauds Bipartisan Bill Fighting Age Discrimination in the Workplace

Carney R. Shegerian, founder of Shegerian & Associates, a Santa Monica-based law firm specializing in employee rights, has issued a statement commending bipartisan legislation aimed at combating age discrimination and defending the rights of older individuals in the workplace.

The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA), sponsored by Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), is designed to remedy a 2009 Supreme Court decision (Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc.) that made it more difficult for older workers to prove claims of illegal bias based on age. Representative George Miller (D-CA) has introduced a companion bill in the House.

“This Bill reflects an urgent need in today’s society and workplace,” said Shegerian. “Despite the fact that the average age of our workplace continues to grow, recent studies show that at least one-third of US workers have either seen age discrimination or been discriminated against themselves. Age discrimination in the workplace is a very serious issue today and we applaud the lawmakers attempting to help remedy the trend with important new legislation. The bottom line is that employers in the US cannot discriminate against their employees based upon their age – but this legislation could help remove barriers from proving that discriminatory behavior has taken place.”

The federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) prohibits discrimination against workers 40 years or older in all aspects of employment. The passage of POWADA would protect these and other workers by reestablishing the principle that unlawful discrimination of any sort should play no role in workplace decisions.

An experienced trial attorney, Shegerian has tried many jury trials to verdict in both state and federal court, representing individuals that have suffered financial or emotional losses and have been wronged by employers, including major corporations. Shegerian has built a remarkable career on helping those who have been wronged in the workplace. He remains undefeated in federal jury trials and has won over 65 jury trials, including 25 seven figure verdicts representing employees.

Located Santa Monica, Shegerian & Associates is a law firm specializing in protecting the rights of employees who have been wronged by their employers. Richly experienced in labor and employment law and possessing an unparalleled success record as litigators (Carney Shegerian himself has won over 65 jury trials in his career, including 25 seven figure verdicts, and he remains undefeated in federal jury trials), Shegerian & Associates is passionately dedicated to serving the needs of its clients. For more information about the firm, visit www.ShegerianLaw.com, or to learn more about Carney Shegerian specifically, visit http://carneyshegerian.com/.