Employer Sued for Age Discrimination Based on Insurance Requirement
February 26, 2020
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed suit against White River Health System, Inc, a provider of health care services throughout North Central Arkansas, alleging the company violated the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) by removing a class of employees from their positions because of their age. According to the suit, in October 2018, the company’s area director told two senior center directors, then ages 77 and 80, that White River Health System had decided to terminate their employment effective immediately because the company’s insurance policy excluded anyone over the age of 72 from driving. The EEOC further charged that White River Health removed other employees over the age of 72 from their positions for the same reason. The company made no attempt to secure alternative driver's insurance that would cover the employees.