You are the manager of a small financial planning and consulting firm in Little Rock, Arkansas. The firm has been experiencing a slowdown in business lately, and because of the decline in business, you are forced to eliminate one of two financial planner positions. One of the financial planners is 55 and has been with the company for years. She is one of the highest-paid employees. She is married and has two children in college. Because her husband has severe medical problems, he cannot work and depends on her medical benefits for his medical treatment.

The other financial planner is 27. He is single and lives with his parents.

You must choose which of the two financial planners to lay off.

How should you make the decision? What criteria should you use in making the decision?

Note that Arkansas does not have any state law prohibiting age discrimination by private-sector employees, but your firm is subject to the Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

NB: Please be sure to cover all the legal concepts and sections in the law to support your reasoning.