Legal Question in Employment Law in Georgia

Any legal recourse?

I have been working for a huge privately owned food manufacturing company for 10 years. Recently I applied for another position in the company which I was very qualified for. I was passed over in favor of a man, ( I am a 49 year old woman), with only two years experience, (he does the exact same job I do now), and no previous job experience before this job. During the interview process, I was told by the four different people interviewing me that I was well qualified for the new position. I think that it became a popularity contest as the man who got the job golfs and fishes with the man who was hiring for the position. Do I have any recourse?


Asked on 5/25/07, 9:26 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Scott Riddle Law Office of Scott B. Riddle, LLC

Re: Any legal recourse?

Absent a contract, there is generally no entitlement to a promotion, raise, benefits, or even a job. While you mention age and gender, which could theoretically raise legal issues, your additional comments indicate the promotion was based on golf, fishing and schmoozing. There is no general right to sue because the boss likes someone else better, or someone else was better at politics. See an employment lawyer to get specific advice.

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Answered on 5/25/07, 12:24 pm
Paula McGill Attorney at Law

Re: Any legal recourse?

Depending on the size of the employer, employees are protected against, among other things, age and sex discrmination in promotions. However, from the facts, it appears that it was simply a popularity contest. If you truly believe you were discrminated against because of your age or sex, and not because of a juvenile popularity contest, you should seek a consultation with a lawyer or go immediately to the EEOC to file a charge. (www.EEOC.gov).

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Answered on 5/30/07, 5:35 am


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