Haynes International to Pay $180,000 to Resolve EEOC Age Discrimination Allegation

INDIANAPOLIS -- Haynes International Inc, a metals company headquartered in Kokomo, Ind., has agreed to pay $180,000 and furnish other relief to resolve a charge alleging age discrimination investigated by the Indianapolis District Office of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.

The EEOC's investigation found reasonable cause to believe that Haynes International allegedly failed to hire the original complainant and a class of applicants in mid-2017 and early 2018 based on their age, over 40 years, for the position of general assistant operator, in violation of the Age Discrim­ination in Employment Act (ADEA). Excluding older applicants from employment or from certain positions because of their age violates the ADEA, the EEOC said.

Haynes International denied any wrongdoing, but, to avoid the cost of litigation, the company reached a voluntary agreement with the EEOC through the conciliation process. The conciliation agreement provides for up to $180,000 in monetary relief for the original complainant and a class of allegedly eligible older applicants that applied for the job of general assistant operator and were not hired in June 2017 and/or February 2018 at the Kokomo facility.

As part of the agreement, Haynes International agreed to provide additional non-discrimination training as it pertains to the ADEA for all Kokomo employees who play a role in the recruitment, screening, selection and/or hiring of applicants into the General Assistant Operator position.

"We commend Haynes International for working cooperatively with us to reach a compre­hensive voluntary settlement through EEOC conciliation without the need for protracted litigation," said EEOC Indianapolis District Director Michelle Eisele. "It is our hope that other employers will take notice if they find themselves in a similar situation and follow Haynes Inter­national's example of agreeing to voluntarily resolve an EEOC case, which is in the best interests of all parties."

Haynes Internationals develops, manufactures and distributes high-performance nickel- and cobalt-based alloys for use in high temperature and corrosion applications. 

The EEOC's Indianapolis District Office is responsible for processing discrimination charges, administrative enforcement, and the conduct of agency litigation in Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky and western Ohio.

The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov. Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.