EEOC Takes on Land O' Lakes
The EEOC has filed suit against Land O'Lakes, the dairy cooperative. The case stems from LOL's practice of requiring its departing employees, in their separation agreements, to promise not to file a discrimination complaint with the EEOC. According to the separation agreement, if the employee filed a complaint, severance benefits would be forfeited.
The suit claims that the practice violates the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Pay Act.
The case could be important since many --- perhaps most --- separation agreements contain similar language.