Lawsuit: Seasons 52 restaurants discriminate against servers over 40; chain denies allegation

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says the Seasons 52 restaurant chain discriminates against job applicants age 40 and older.

On Thursday, the agency filed a lawsuit against the chain, owned by Orlando-based Darden Restaurants.

The Orlando Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1KST7oK ) reports that the agency says unsuccessful applicants were given various explanations for why they weren't hired, from the desire for a youthful image to being told the restaurant wasn't "looking for old white guys."

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Miami. It was based on allegations from two unsuccessful applicants, ages 42 and 52.

The EEOC wants to find other applicants who believe the chain discriminated against them.

Darden spokesman Rich Jeffers says the allegations are false.

Darden operates 43 Season 52 restaurants nationwide. Other Darden restaurants aren't included in the lawsuit.

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Information from: Orlando Sentinel, http://www.orlandosentinel.com/