If you are over the age of 40, the Chiefs' GM Scott Pioli does not want you!
The NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs are 5-7 and are vying for a playoff spot despite multiple injuries to key players and lopsided losses. With the team focusing on winning out the season for a post-season birth, the front office is faced with a more pressing issue, an age discrimination lawsuit.
Longtime Chief’s employee Brenda Sniezek was employed by the Chiefs from March 1982 until January 26, 2011. The day she was fired she was the Community Relations Director but she was also 51 years-old. Unfortunately for Sniezek, 51 is too old for the Chiefs.
The civil complaint alleges General Manager Scott Pioli is replacing the older employees with young guns in an attempt to “change the culture of the organization.” Pioli stated to employees that the Chiefs aim to rid of “everyone over the age of 40” regardless of work performance.
Sniezek also alleges that the organization in the past and present engages in age discrimination. At least seven other 40-and-older employees were fired or involuntarily forced to retire even though they were good employees. Additionally, Pioli and other senior Chief personnel would habitually make discriminating remarks during office meetings. This age discrimination practice made for an uncomfortable working environment for Sniezek and similarly situated employees.
Sniezek contends that she was given less than stellar reviews despite her outstanding efforts within the organization and the Chiefs’ community. She contends this was an attempt to lay the foundation as grounds to remove her from her post.
The seven page civil complaint (which can be read here) was filed on December 2, 2011 in the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri; Case No. 1116-cv-32648. The plaintiff seeks actual and punitive damages.
