Professor Alleges University Retaliated After She Spoke of Retirement

when deciding to retire, a 70-year-old New Jersey university professor sued when the institution lowered her pay by 30%, moved her office to a storage closet, and took her ergonomic chair. A former faculty member claims these actions violate state and federal age discrimination and retaliation laws.

The 65-year-old professor allegedly informed a dean and colleague in 2019 that she would retire “in the not-so-distant future.” Instead of preparing for her departure, the university demoted her, decreased her income with 11 days’ notice, and put her in financial hardship.

After her attorney opposed the abrupt demotion and wage drop, the institution offered to defer it by six months if she signed a full disclaimer waiving age discrimination charges. The professor declined. Retaliation was added to the 2024 state age discrimination complaint and refiled in U.S. District Court.

The new complaint alleges that the university retaliated after she filed the age discrimination claim by assigning her to teach a medical student “problem-based learning” course she had never taught. It states that she was forced to teach the in-person curriculum after she sued and had no expertise.

Her ergonomic chair, office furniture, personal things, and office space were allegedly taken to a storage closet by the institution. The case charges improper termination, retaliation, New Jersey Law Against Discrimination violations, and whistleblower rights violations.

A university official declined to address the lawsuit. In the professor’s case, universities must decide how to treat aging faculty, punish academics who exercise protected rights, and handle employment transitions.