EMPLOYMENT LAW: EEOC Reaches Settlement with City of Greensboro

January 7, 2011

Greensboro, North Carolina – The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the City of Greensboro has reached a settlement to end an age discrimination lawsuit.

The EEOC made the announcement last Friday, January 7, reporting that the city has agreed to pay $91,000 and provide other relief to the complainant.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Terry Pearson, who was 58 at the time of the alleged discrimination incident.

According to the EEOC, in 2007, the City of Greensboro failed to hire Pearson as an electronic processes specialist for the Guilford Metro 911 Division in favor of three younger candidates who were not as qualified as Pearson.

The EEOC also contends that several individuals testified that the hiring manager was worried that Pearson will be retiring soon.

The lawsuit also involved a claim against the city for its failure to preserve records related to hiring for the position, which federal laws require to be kept for at least one year.