EEOC to Explore Impact of Economy on Older Workers at Meeting on Wednesday, November 17

WASHINGTON – In order to examine the pressing problem of age discrimination in the workplace, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will hold a public meeting to explore the impact of the current economic climate on older workers. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 9:30 a.m. (Eastern Time), at agency headquarters, 131 M Street, N.E. The Commission is scheduled to hear from the following invited panelists:

Panel 1: Impact of the Economy on Older Workers

• William Spriggs, Assistant Secretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Labor
• David Lopez, EEOC General Counsel
• Jessie Williams, class member in EEOC v. Republic Services

Panel 2: Legal Issues

• Mary Anne Sedey, Partner, Sedey Harper P.C.,
• Michael Foreman, Clinical Professor, Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law
• R. Scott Oswald, Principal, The Employment Law Group

Panel 3: Employer Best Practices

• Deborah Russell, Director, Workforce Issues, American Association of Retired Persons
• Cornelia Gamlem, President, GEMS Group and Society for Human Resource Management

There will be a brief question-and-answer session with EEOC Commissioners following each panel discussion.

In accordance with the Sunshine Act, the meeting is open for public observation of the Commission's deliberations. Seating is limited and it is suggested that visitors arrive 30 minutes before the meeting in order to be processed through security and escorted to the meeting room.

The Commission agenda is subject to revision. Additional information about the hearing, when available, will be posted at http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/meetings/index.cfm.

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.