Sarruf v. Miller

This is a direct appeal from a summary judgment which declares that RCW 49.60.180 prohibits an employer from implementing a mandatory retirement policy based upon age. We reverse and remand for new trial.

In 1969 Alexander Sarruf was hired by Bethlehem Steel Corporation (Bethlehem) as an accountant weighmaster. In January 1976, Bethlehem established a policy of mandatory retirement for employees upon reaching age 65. If Sarruf were to have retired at that age, as required by the new policy, he would not have been employed for 10 years, thus would have been ineligible for pension benefits. In…