Rental Pro to Pay $37,000 to Settle EEOC Age Discrimination Lawsuit

Equipment Rental Company Owner Sought 'Younger and Peppier' Employees, Federal Agency Charged 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Rental Pro, a miscellaneous equipment rental company located in Somerset, Ky., with locations in Hazard, London and Pikeville, Ky., will pay $37,000 to settle an age discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today.

According to EEOC's suit (6:15-cv-00154-GFVT, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, London Division) Rental Pro terminated Ronald Johnson, 52, because of his age. The company's owner sought "younger and peppier" employees and wanted to bring "young blood" into the company, the agency alleged.

Such alleged conduct violates the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), which prohibits discrimination against employees and applicants because of their age. EEOC filed suit after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.

The consent decree settling the suit provides Johnson with back pay and provides injunctive relief including anti-discrimination training, reporting of discrimination claims, notice posting and a prohibition against any future discrimination or retaliation. 

"As the statute makes clear, discrimination on the basis of a person's age is a violation of federal law," said Laurie Young, regional attorney for EEOC's Indianapolis District, which includes Louisville, Detroit and Cincinnati. "Employers should make employment decisions based on a person's ability to do the job, and not on myths and stereotypes."

EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about EEOC is available on the agency's website at www.eeoc.gov.