Cedar Point Settles Age Discrimination Case, Agrees to $50,000 Payment and Policy Changes

Cedar Point amusement park has agreed to a $50,000 settlement after a lawsuit by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) uncovered age discrimination practices against employees over the age of 40. The lawsuit highlighted Cedar Point’s owner, Cedar Fair and Magnum, provided below-market rate housing for seasonal employees but excluded employees over 30, except entertainers, from this benefit during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. This policy effectively barred older out-of-town workers from employment opportunities at the park, creating economic barriers due to the lack of affordable housing. This action was deemed a violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), which safeguards individuals from employment discrimination based on age.

As part of the settlement, Cedar Point is required to compensate affected former employees and implement a non-discriminatory housing policy. EEOC Cleveland Field Office Director Dilip Gokhale emphasized the importance of older workers in the seasonal theme park industry and the necessity for employers to adhere to the ADEA. This settlement marks another legal challenge for Cedar Point, which is also facing a lawsuit from a 2021 incident where a woman was injured by a metal piece from a ride. This upcoming case highlights ongoing safety and employment challenges at the amusement park.