US Court Determines X Must Address Class Action Regarding Age Discrimination Allegations
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Class Action Suit Regarding Age Discrimination at X: Key Points to Understand
Quick Overview:
- A federal judge in the US has permitted around 150 former employees aged 50 and above to file a class action suit against social media platform X, previously known as Twitter.
- The lawsuit is a result of widespread layoffs that took place in 2022, just after Elon Musk’s acquisition of the organization.
- Allegations in the lawsuit indicate that older staff were particularly impacted, with 60% of those aged 50+ and nearly 75% of those over 60 being terminated.
- X has rejected claims of age discrimination, stating that layoffs occurred irrespective of age and were part of an overall departmental reduction.
- This lawsuit represents one of several legal issues X has encountered following the extensive layoffs in 2022.
Context: The Age Discrimination Claims
In a notable judicial development, a US federal judge located in San Francisco has allowed a class action suit to advance against the social media platform X, formerly recognized as Twitter. This case involves roughly 150 former employees alleging they experienced age discrimination amid the mass layoffs that followed Elon Musk’s takeover of the firm in 2022.
The claims are led by Plaintiff John Zeman, a former employee in X’s communications division before the layoffs occurred. Zeman asserts that the layoffs unfairly affected older employees, with 60% of individuals aged 50 and above, and nearly 75% of those aged 60 and older being terminated. Comparatively, 54% of staff under 50 were also laid off.
The Court’s Decision
US District Judge Susan Illston determined that the case posed a shared question regarding the repercussions of the layoffs on older employees, permitting the lawsuit to progress as a class action. This ruling allows Zeman’s legal representatives to inform potential class members, providing them the chance to join the lawsuit.
“The plaintiff has demonstrated more than mere conjecture that Twitter might have practiced discrimination against older employees during the November 4, 2022, (mass layoff), which represents one decision impacting all members of the proposed class,” Illston mentioned in her ruling.
X’s Reaction to the Claims
X has firmly denied the allegations of age discrimination. The organization contends that the layoffs were part of a more extensive restructuring plan that resulted in the cutting of entire departments, including the communications division where Zeman was employed, without regard to the ages of the affected employees.
Regardless of these refutations, Shannon Liss-Riordan, the attorney representing Zeman and nearly 2,000 other former employees of X, expressed approval of the court’s ruling. “We are pleased with the court’s resolution and eagerly anticipate pursuing this case on behalf of older employees who were unjustly targeted,” Liss-Riordan noted.
Additional Legal Issues Confronting X
This age discrimination suit is merely one of numerous legal challenges X has faced following Musk’s takeover of the company. Other lawsuits involve accusations that X terminated employees and contractors without providing the legally mandated prior notice, specifically targeted women in layoffs, and forced out disabled workers by prohibiting remote work.
In August, two judges dismissed distinct lawsuits concerning sex and disability discrimination claims, though the plaintiffs have been allowed to submit revised complaints. Furthermore, two lawsuits assert that X owes former employees a minimum of USD $500 million (AUD $743 million) in severance compensation, with one of those cases being thrown out in July.
Conclusion
The legal hurdles facing X, especially the ongoing class action regarding age discrimination, highlight the intricacies involved in large-scale layoffs and corporate restructuring. As the case moves forward, it will be keenly observed not only by former X employees but also by other corporations and legal experts, given its potential for setting precedents.
Q: What is the primary claim in the lawsuit?
A: The primary claim is that X, previously known as Twitter, disproportionately terminated older employees during the mass layoffs of 2022 following Elon Musk’s acquisition of the business.
Q: How many employees are part of the class action lawsuit?
A: About 150 former employees aged 50 and above are participating in the class action lawsuit against X.
Q: What was the court’s decision?
A: US District Judge Susan Illston ruled that the case could advance as a class action, allowing plaintiffs to reach out to potential class members who may wish to join the lawsuit.
Q: How has X responded to these allegations?
A: X has denied the allegations of age discrimination, asserting that the layoffs were part of a broader restructuring which included entire departmental eliminations, regardless of employee age.
Q: Are there other legal challenges facing X?
A: Yes, X is confronting various legal challenges, including allegations related to sex and disability discrimination, as well as lawsuits claiming the company owes former employees substantial severance pay.
