State Supreme Court Ruling on Older Workers

The California Supreme Court’s recent decision (“State High Court Deals Blow to Older Workers,” Oct. 30) may make it legal for employers “to lay off older workers and keep younger employees to save money.” It certainly does not make such actions moral.

How can we as a society encourage employers to discard workers who have been competent enough to advance to higher salaries? What is the worker’s reward for loyalty?

If we follow the logic that such age discrimination is justified as long as employers’ motives are economic, we should not go after employers who hire undocumented workers. These employers’ motives are clearly economic too.

ELAINE CRAIG SEGAL

Los Angeles

* Congratulations to the Supreme Court of California--you should be very proud of yourselves. Why not allow the state of California to lay you off in favor of young lawyers just out of law school. They have new ideas and don’t cost as much.

Age discrimination? No, just balancing the budget.

I fear for the future of this state if the older, well-paid, experienced, quality workers are laid off. Are you prepared to live with the consequences of supporting this “laid-off work force”?

We have unemployment and Social Security [funds] now. We would have to start a whole new fund to support workers who are let go in their prime. Employers could contribute 100% of the funding and also ante up 50% of the savings they make by laying off the older workers. Watch how fast they would backpedal to show that they weren’t making any money, while still funding their “golden parachutes” and awarding themselves stock options.

The decision is without merit and strikes at the very heart of how this country was built. Hard work, dedication and loyalty will give way to corporate greed, profit and shortsightedness. Take a lesson, instead, from some of the most successful people and companies. Pay your workers what they are really worth and they will come. There is no price for quality and experience.

JOAN BASSON

Diamond Bar