American Airlines Sued for Age Discrimination During COVID-19 Cuts

American Airlines is being sued for age discrimination based on its COVID-19 layoffs. Jennifer Pomis, a 58-year-old former employee who spent 35 years at the airline, claims the airline discriminated against older employees when conducting COVID-19-related layoffs. When the airline called back some of the laid off employees, they offered a position to younger employee rather than Pomis.

Case background

Pomis worked as a customer service manager in Chicago O’Hare International airport. In May 2020, Pomis received a positive performance review and was told she would get a raise. However, just a month later, American began laying off employees due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline planned to eliminate seven out of 36 customer service management positions at the airport.

Two managers took severance packages, and another was fired for an unrelated reason. The employees laid off included Pomis, 58, two workers aged 55 and 62, plus one 30-year-old manager. In particular, the 62-year-old employee had what Pomis described as “an extremely long and positive career.”

In summer 2021, American began rehiring some of the employees who were laid off, and filled at least seven customer service managerial positions at O’Hare. The 30-year-old worker who had been fired at the same time as Pomis was rehired, without having to apply or interview. The three older employees were not offered their positions. Pomis was also not chosen for the other positions she applied for.

Pomis is suing in the Northern District of Illinois for violating the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

If you were unfairly targeted due to age discrimination, help is available. Call a knowledgeable whistleblower attorney at Kardell Law Group today to learn more about your options.