Morgan & Morgan Representing Veteran Broadcasters Who Say WSMV-TV Channel 4 News Engages in Age Bias
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading plaintiffs' firm Morgan & Morgan is representing three well-known, veteran newscasters who allege that Meredith Corporation, who does business as WSMV-TV News Channel 4, has engaged in persistent age-based bias against older employees.
Attorney Brian Winfrey has filed a case in Tennessee federal court on behalf of Jennifer Johnson, Dennis Ferrier and Nancy Van Camp, who allege that Channel 4 terminated them as a result of age bias.
"This case sheds light on some ugly truths about what is happening at Channel 4. My clients are accomplished professionals. They don't deserve this treatment after decades of dedicating their careers to Channel 4," Winfrey said. "By pursuing this case, we hope to send a message to Meredith Corporation, Channel 4, and other networks that age-based discrimination is never acceptable."
The three employees have highly-accomplished careers spanning decades. They boast large fan followings in the Nashville area and have collectively received dozens of prestigious awards for their work.
A Pattern and Practice of Age Discrimination
The lawsuit alleges that in 2015, Channel 4 management began engaging in hostile behavior towards older on-air personalities. Leadership, including General Manager Doreen Wade, made comments about getting rid of the "old timers" and bringing on "faces that appeal to a younger demographic," the complaint alleges. News Director Jim Gilchriest commented on multiple occasions, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" in reference to Ferrier and other veteran newscasters. The complaint identifies a number of employees over the age of 40 who were removed and replaced by younger employees between 2015 and 2016.
When veteran on-air personalities reported their concerns about "a persistent pattern and practice of discrimination in the workplace, particularly on the basis of age," Channel 4 failed to take any preventative or correction action, allowing management to engage in additional unlawful acts against older employees without reprimand, the lawsuit alleges.
The growing workplace hostility against older employees took many forms, according to the complaint. Along with unfair job scrutiny, adverse job assignments, and other retaliatory acts, the employees experienced ridicule, hostile communication, and insults on a regular basis.
Ferrier was allegedly retaliated against shortly after raising concerns with HR about the hostile work environment at Channel 4. After taking an approved bereavement leave to attend his father's funeral, he was fired by management for making an "inaccurate statement" during a June 2016 broadcast. Ferrier asserts that this given reason for his firing was a smokescreen to hide age-based discrimination and retaliation.
Johnson was forced off-the-air in December 2015 after Channel 4 targeted her with a series of adverse employment acts designed to compel her to quit, including: a demotion from news anchor to reporter; discriminatory field assignments and work shifts, and increased hostility during daily interactions with management, the lawsuit alleges.
Van Camp was forced off-the-air around June 2016, and was subjected to unfair treatment, ridicule, and refusal to renew her contract all because of her age, the complaint alleges. She was replaced by a meteorologist over a decade younger than her. Gilchriest allegedly commented, regarding Van Camp's removal and replacement, "Out with the old, in with the new."
The lawsuit asks the court to bar Channel 4 from further age discrimination, for the reinstatement of each plaintiff to full-time positions, and for backpay, among other things.
The case of Jennifer Johnson, Nancy Van Camp, and Dennis Ferrier v. Meredith Corporation d/b/a WSMV-TV News Channel 4, case number 3:17-cv-01493, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Nashville Division.
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