only that the employer's reason for discharge was false but also that the discrimination was the real reason. Weiper v. WA. Hill Assoc. (1995), 104 Ohio App.3d 250,263, 661 N.E.2d 796, 805, citing St. Mary's Honor Ctr. v. Hicks (1993), 509 U.S. 502, 510, 113 S.Ct. 2742, 2748-2749, 1.25 L.Ed.2d 407, 418.
Appellant, who is more than forty years old, has alleged that he was replaced by Jill Marras, who was in her thirties. The president and chief executive officer stated in his deposition that appellant's responsibilities, were assumed by Marras, Bruce MacNaughten, and Sandy Trevor. However, the vice-president of human resources stated in her deposition that Marras assumed approximately eighty-five percent of appellant's responsibilities and she is now probably a full replacement for appellant. Construing this evidence in appellant's favor, we conclude that Marras replaced appellant.
However, the mere hiring of a younger employee does not create an inference that the older employee's discharge was motivated by age discrimination. Weiper, 104 Ohio App.3d at 263,661 N.E.2d at 805, citing Chappell v. GTE Products Corp. (C.A.6, 1986),803 F.2d 261, 267, certiorari denied (1987), 480 U.S. 919, 107 S.Ct. 1375,94 L.Ed.2d 690. Appellant provided no evidence that any reference was made to his age by appellees. Appellant stated in his deposition:
"Q * * * WHAT IS THE BASIS FOR YOUR BELIEF THAT YOU'VE BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BASED UPON YOUR AGE?
"* * * *Page 28
"A WELL, I WAS REPLACED FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF MY WORK BY JILL MARRAS, WHO IS YOUNGER THAN ME AND PAID LESS THAN ME AND UNDER THE AGE OF 40. * * *
"Q ANY OTHER REASONS, OTHER THAN BEING REPLACED BY SOMEONE YOUNGER, THAT YOU BELIEVE YOU WERE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BASED UPON YOUR AGE?
"* * *
"A THE ACTIONS OF THAT REPLACEMENT SEEMED TO BE TO TAKE ME OUT OF WHAT I HAD BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, PUT ME INTO A TECHNICAL ROLE FROM A MANAGEMENT ROLE AND TO LOWER MY PAY AND TO MOVE MY OFFICE TO A LIKE-SIZED OFFICE FOR NO REASON, INCLUDING ACCESS TO THAT OFFICE. SO FOR MANY REASONS IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WAS SOMETHING GOING ON HERE BESIDES JUST LET'S PUT SOMEBODY IN CHARGE OF WHAT I WAS DOING. THAT SEEMS DISCRIMINATORY TO ME.
"Q OKAY. AND WHAT, IN YOUR MIND, TIES THAT TO YOUR AGE?
"* * *
"A * * * I THINK THE FACT THAT THE EVENTS HAPPENED TIES THAT TOGETHER. I DON'T BELIEVE ANYBODY CAME BY-I DON'T BELIEVE SANDY TREVOR CAME BY AND SAID BECAUSE YOU'RE TOO OLD WE'RE GOING TO MOVE YOU OVER HERE AND MOVE SOMEBODY WHO IS UNDER 40 INTO YOUR POSITION. * * * HOWEVER, FROM THE ACTIONS THAT OCCURRED AND FROM THE RESULTS AND FROM THE RESPONSIBILITY TAKEN AWAY, IT CERTAINLY APPEARS THAT THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED.
"* * *
"Q OKAY. I'M ASKING SPECIFIC TO YOUR CASE, ANY STATEMENTS RELATED TO JOE BEAUCHAMP THAT LEAD [YOU TO] BELIEVE YOU WERE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BASED UPON