Reference no: EM133154295

Jane Lewis sued her employer, the Department of Transportation of Newton County, claiming that the government agency is trying to induce her to quit because the agency wants to replace her with a younger, less expensive employee. Her supervisor is overcritical of her and keeps giving her purposely unrealistic deadlines. The transportation department was unable to settle the legal dispute in mediation because any compromise might be perceived as an admission of engaging in age discrimination, even if the parties would stipulate that the settlement would not be such an admission. The government agency has no economic incentive to settle because any liability would be absorbed by the general treasury and legal assistance is free from the county law department. What alternative to mediation (ATMs) might break this impasse? Should the outcome of the ATM be binding?