FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2012
CONTACT: Dave Nathan
202-434-2560
media@aarp.org
AARP Opposes Attempt to Nullify New Age Discrimination Protections
En Español | Washington, DC – AARP opposes a provision in the Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill (H.R. 5326) that would prohibit the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) from using any funds to “implement, administer or enforce” its recently issued final regulations on age discrimination, and AARP will work to remove this harmful provision from the bill before it goes to the President.
Age discrimination is a serious and growing problem,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s Executive Vice President, in endorsing the regulations at issue. “Workers and employers alike will benefit from the helpful guidance provided by the EEOC.”
For workers, the practical outcome of the new guidelines is that there is a better chance of preventing discrimination before it happens. But, if it does, older workers will have a meaningful chance to get their day in court and prove their case. The main impact of the rider would be to hurt employers – especially smaller employers who don’t have legal counsel -- because it would require them to operate with no guidance whatsoever, creating legal uncertainty and uneven results, which means more litigation.
AARP has long been at the forefront of efforts to develop and improve workplace protections under the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and to make sure that age discrimination is treated just as seriously as other forms of workplace discrimination.
“These are well-balanced regulations that were the subject of an exhaustive notice and comment process over a period of four years. The EEOC has done its job – issuing interpretive regulations – and has done it properly,” said LeaMond.
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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.1 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, our bilingual multimedia platform for Hispanic members; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
