IBM—IBM engaged in systematic age discrimination against workers over 40
From 2013-2025, IBM systematically discriminated against older workers through 'Resource Actions' layoffs that targeted employees over 40. ProPublica investigation (2018) revealed IBM ousted an estimated 20,000 U.S. workers ages 40+ over five years. EEOC determined in August 2020 that IBM engaged in systematic age discrimination with 'top-down messaging from IBM's highest ranks' directing managers to reduce headcount of older workers. EEOC found over 85% of those targeted for layoff were older workers. Court documents revealed 'dinobabies' emails from executives including CEO Ginny Rometty and SVP Diane Gherson discussing plans to make older employees 'extinct species' and citing older women as 'dated maternal workforce.' Multiple class-action lawsuits and settlements followed, with discrimination continuing through 2025 layoffs and return-to-office mandates used as 'soft layoffs.'
Scoring Impact
| Topic | Direction | Relevance | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age Inclusion | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Corporate Governance | -against | secondary | -0.50 |
| Worker Rights | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Overall incident score = | -1.253 | ||
Score = avg(topic contributions) × significance (critical ×2) × confidence (0.75)
Evidence (3 signals)
Court documents revealed IBM executives' 'dinobabies' emails targeting older workers
Court filings unsealed in February 2022 revealed highly discriminatory internal communications among IBM's top executives including CEO Ginny Rometty and SVP Diane Gherson. A June 10, 2016 email from SVP Erich Clementi stated the need to 'accelerate change by inviting the dinobabies... to leave and make them an extinct species.' Another email cast older women as a 'dated maternal workforce' noting 'They really don't understand social or engagement. Not digital natives. A real threat for us.' The emails evidenced CEO-level interest to change IBM's workforce profile to reflect younger workers.
EEOC found IBM engaged in systematic age discrimination with top-down messaging
On August 31, 2020, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a determination concluding that IBM engaged in systematic age discrimination between 2013 and 2018. EEOC investigators found 'top-down messaging from IBM's highest ranks directing managers to engage in an aggressive approach to significantly reduce the headcount of older workers.' Agency analysis found that more than 85% of those IBM targeted for layoff were older workers. The decision may apply to more than 6,000 ex-IBM employees.
ProPublica investigation revealed IBM ousted 20,000 workers over 40
ProPublica's March 2018 investigation, based on internal documents, legal filings, and questionnaires from over 1,000 former IBM employees, reported that IBM ousted an estimated 20,000 U.S. workers ages 40+ during the preceding five years. The investigation documented that IBM flouted U.S. laws protecting older workers, denied them required information, targeted high performers for layoffs, and used savings to hire young replacements to 'correct seniority mix.'