What: Public Hearing on Age Discrimination in the Workplace
Iowans affected by age discrimination in the workplace and those who are concerned about age discrimination on the job are invited to join AARP for a public hearing with state and national AARP leaders, members of the media and the public to illustrate how important this issue is for the financial security of older workers in Iowa. The hearing is timed for Iowans to share their stories of age discrimination in the workplace as Congress considers legislation sponsored by Iowa Senators Tom Harkin (D) and Chuck Grassley (R), the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, (S. 1391, H.R. 2852).
When: Thursday, May 29, 2014
10:00 -10:40 a.m. - official remarks and stories of Iowans
10:40-11:00 a.m. - audience questions/comments
11:00 a.m. or immediately following end of comments - media availability with AARP national and state spokespersons
Where: The Hotel at Kirkwood Center - 7725 Kirkwood Blvd., SW, Cedar Rapids
Who:
Eric Schneidewind, AARP Board President-Elect (incoming), Grand Rapids, MI
Cheryl Matheis, Senior Principal Counsel, AARP External Affairs
Kent Sovern, AARP Iowa State Director
Jack Gross and stories from other Iowa victims of age discrimination
Why: According to a recent AARP national survey, Americans believe the problem of age discrimination in the workplace is widespread and growing worse. About two-thirds (64 percent) of survey respondents think that people over age 50 face age discrimination in the workplace. Further, nearly one-third say they have faced discrimination themselves in the last four years or know someone who has.
Since the landmark Gross v. FBL Financial Services Supreme Court case of 2009 (involving Iowan Jack Gross) makes it more difficult for older workers to prove age discrimination, 82 percent of respondents believe that ruling makes it easier for employers to discriminate. More than three-fourths (78 percent) of respondents support the proposed Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act and want their members of Congress to support it.
