In the latest twist in the world of corporate litigation, RTX Corporation, formerly known as Raytheon Technologies, finds itself in the crosshairs of a class action lawsuit alleging age discrimination against job seekers aged 40 and older. With this new legal challenge, it seems defending the nation isn't the only battle Raytheon is immersed in.

The lawsuit, which has been brought forward by the AARP Foundation and two law firms, was filed at the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The complaint alleges that RTX's job advertisements have been strategically worded to favor younger candidates, which could potentially be a flagrant violation of the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Act, and the Virginia Human Rights Act. Imagine putting up a neon sign saying, "No One Over 40 Need Apply." Not exactly subtle, right?

These controversial job ads referred to 'Recent Graduate Positions' and included requirements such as having graduated recently or having less than 12 or 24 months of work experience. It's almost like telling seasoned professionals that their years of wisdom and knowhow are equivalent to showing up to a high-tech firm with a fax machine.

Standing at the center of this legal drama is Mark H. Goldstein, the named plaintiff, who was caught in the crossfire of RTX's hiring practices. Despite having 40 years of experience, Goldstein wasn't hired for any positions at RTX between 2019 and 2023, an era that felt disturbingly reminiscent of the pre-LinkedIn age for older job seekers.

Prompted by this disappointment, Goldstein filed a discrimination charge with the EEOC in 2019, which later found RTX's job advertisements in violation of the ADEA. RTX's response? A hasty editing session of job posts—although the lawsuit claims that this didn't root out the issue of discrimination.

In an anecdote that underscores the frustration of ageism, Goldstein argues that he applied for lower-level jobs in an effort to reboot his career. Despite his willingness to start anew, RTX's eligibility criteria read like a chapter out of "Young and the Restless."

Goldstein remained undeterred, filing a second discrimination charge with the EEOC in July 2023, which is still under investigation. If patience is a virtue, then Goldstein has certainly earned his stripes.

Chris Johnson, an RTX spokesperson, was quick to dismiss the lawsuit, asserting that the company believes the claims are without merit and that RTX complies with all relevant age discrimination laws. When asked about the merit of language that needs a degree in cryptography to interpret, Johnson declined to comment.

The drama intensified as the lawsuit alleged that RTX’s age discrimination has been in play since at least October 2018. The complaint also illuminated the nagging stereotypes older workers face, like assumptions about lacking tech skills or adaptability. Apparently, recognizing the latest TikTok trend is now a survival skill.

The lawsuit seeks more than just corrected job ads; it requests RTX to provide equal employment opportunities, eliminate its unlawful practices, and pay damages to the plaintiffs.

Despite making up a growing share of the workforce, senior workers often run into the frustrating roadblock of age discrimination. And while there is some progress, many corporations still require gentle reminders that experience isn’t a liability—quite the opposite.

As RTX prepares its defense, it might be worth taking a moment to reread their own job ads. Age, they say, brings wisdom. If that's truly the case, this lawsuit will hopefully impart an important lesson to the broader industry, reminding everyone that talent doesn’t have an expiration date. Unlike some modern gadgets, a little experience never goes out of style.

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