Title: California Judge Allows Age Discrimination Lawsuit to Proceed Against Social Media Giant X
In a recent development, a federal judge in California has declined to dismiss a lawsuit against the renowned social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) over age discrimination allegations. The lawsuit was filed following the acquisition of the company by Elon Musk last year.
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston has ruled in favor of the plaintiff, John Zeman, stating that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that older employees were disproportionately affected by the mass layoffs that took place after Musk’s acquisition. According to Zeman, approximately 60% of workers aged 50 and above were laid off, along with nearly three-quarters of those aged over 60, compared to 54% of employees under the age of 50.
While the judge dismissed Zeman’s claim that X intentionally targeted older workers for layoffs, she granted him a month to file an amended lawsuit with more specific details regarding this allegation. It is worth noting that X is currently facing around a dozen lawsuits in relation to Musk’s decision to downsize Twitter’s workforce, which began in November of last year.
These lawsuits encompass a range of grievances, including claims of inadequate notice for layoffs, allegations of discrimination against workers with disabilities, and accusations that X owes former employees over $500 million in severance pay. Twitter, however, has consistently denied any wrongdoing in these cases.
Zeman’s attorney has expressed optimism, stating that the judge’s decision allows the age discrimination claims to move forward, and the lawsuit will continue to progress. Despite repeated requests for comment on the matter, X has remained silent regarding the ongoing litigation.
The case serves as a reminder of the legal challenges faced by corporations during ownership transitions, particularly in dealing with issues such as workforce reduction and potential discrimination claims. As the proceedings continue, the outcome of this lawsuit will undoubtedly have significant implications for X and how it navigates future layoffs and acquisitions.
Stay tuned to ‘The Puck Drop’ for further updates on this case as it unfolds.
