In 2018, 55% of workplaces in Georgia had mandatory arbitration policies in place
Washington, D.C — U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, on the other hand, is committed to protecting seniors in Georgia from age discrimination in the workplace.
Senator Ossoff is working to bring Republicans and Democrats together to pass the Protecting Older Americans Act of 2023 to prevent employers from using forced arbitration against older workers seeking justice and accountability in age discrimination cases.
According to a 2020 AARP survey, about 78% of older workers have seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace – the highest level since AARP began tracking this statistic in 2003.
A New York Times report states that “more than 60 million American workers are subject to forced arbitration clauses in their employment contracts – often through fine print in legal clauses that workers are unaware of.”
“I am bringing Republicans and Democrats together to protect Georgia seniors from age discrimination in the workplace.” said Senator Ossoff.
“Older workers who face age discrimination should have the opportunity to have their case heard in court, with the legal protections provided by law.” said Bill Sweeney, senior vice president of government affairs for AARP. “Mandatory and binding arbitration clauses in contracts force employees to waive these rights and resolve disputes outside the courts, with fewer protections, and in forums often determined by the employer.” AARP is pleased to support the Protecting Older Americans Act of 2023 “Prohibit compulsory arbitration in age discrimination claims in the workplace.”
“Compulsory arbitration allows companies to get away with illegal discriminatory behavior such as firing employees based on their age.” said Linda Lipsen, CEO of the American Association for Justice. “As advocates for workers who face age discrimination, we are proud to support this bill that would allow workers to decide how to seek justice rather than having that decision made by the company.”
“Eliminating compulsory arbitration in age discrimination cases will create a safer work environment and protect millions of people.” said Gretchen Carlson, co-founder of Lift Our Voices. “The Protecting Older Americans Act builds on the two pieces of legislation we championed last year and is the next step for Lift Our Voices in its mission to create safer workplaces for all.”
“No one should ever be forced out of a job because their employer thinks they are over-aged.” said Julie Roginsky, co-founder of Lift Our Voices. “This bill ensures that older workers are exempt from the secret chamber of forced arbitration designed to cover up behavior that harms older survivors.”
This is the latest step in Senator Ossoff's work to protect older people.
Last year, in a Senate Banking Committee hearing, Senator Ossoff addressed the challenges facing seniors in Albany in finding housing and emphasized the need for local, state and federal action to support expanding housing options for American seniors in Georgia and the USA nationwide.
Senator Ossoff also co-sponsored the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021, which protects survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment from being forced into arbitration based on pre-dispute agreements. This bill was signed into law on March 3, 2022.
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