Ford ran a ‘soft layoff’ through rigged performance ratings, suit claims

The filing calls this a mechanism for Ford to cut long-tenured staff under the appearance of poor performance, alleging it has “already resulted in the termination of scores of competent salaried employees.” Older workers and those approaching retirement milestones, the complaint alleges, were “intentionally targeted and also disproportionally impacted.”

The worker was approximately two years short of reaching a 30-year service milestone under Ford’s General Retirement Plan, which the complaint states would have entitled her to supplemental retirement benefits.

The lawsuit also raises the worker’s family circumstances. In roughly February 2025, according to the filing, she was approved for intermittent medical leave to help care for her husband, who was scheduled to begin bone marrow transplant treatment for leukemia. She discussed his condition with her manager and with HR. Although she did not ultimately take the leave, the filing alleges Ford knew about her situation and that her association with a disabled family member factored into the decision to terminate her.

The complaint brings four federal claims: age discrimination under the ADEA – both as direct targeting and as a systemic pattern caused by the rating system – disability discrimination under the ADA, based on her association with her husband, and interference with retirement benefits under ERISA, alleging Ford timed her termination to block her from reaching the 30-year pension milestone.

The worker is seeking reinstatement or equivalent compensation, economic and non-economic damages, and attorneys’ fees.