California moving company Meathead Movers is sued for promoting its young, buff staff as Biden’s age-discrimination commissioners crack down on employers amid America’s ageing workforce
A California moving company that employs student-athletes as movers is being sued for violating age discrimination laws.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is going after Meathead Movers, which prides itself on hiring clean, young workers.
The Fresno-based company was reportedly unable to recruit and hire workers over 40 for positions within the company.
Employment lawyers and trade groups said the case will shed light on how the agency plans to approach anti-discrimination laws after President Biden appointed commissioners to address the issue.
Many of the EEOC charges allege that Meathead Movers places special emphasis on marketing and recruiting that may discourage older workers from applying.
A company that prides itself on hiring clean, young workers who have to run from truck to home when they’re not unloading goods.
The Fresno-based company reportedly failed to recruit and hire more than 40 candidates for internal positions.
Images from their website and social media show that the company’s employees are all relatively young and in good physical shape.
Employees also participate in the Meathead Olympics, where they compete against each other by collecting boxes and jumping over them.
The workers are often shown with biceps, jogging from the truck to the house without carrying any furniture.
According to the EEOC, current employees are encouraged to search local gyms, colleges and places they frequent to recruit new employees.
The agency began investigating the company in 2017 on its own, rather than as a result of a complaint.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the agency and Meathead Movers were trying to negotiate a settlement for their case.
The publication reported that the EEOC wanted about $15 million from the company and then lowered that amount to $5 million. Meathead Movers offered to pay $750,000.
Speaking to the WSJ, company owner Aaron Steed said, “We are 100% open to hiring anyone at any age as long as they can get the job done.”
“People love working at Meathead or are put off by how hard it is. You’ll have to move furniture and run to get more.”
The firm’s staff also take part in the Meathead Olympics, where they compete against each other by collecting boxes and jumping over them.
Current employees are encouraged to scour local gyms, colleges and places they frequent to find new hires.
Steed added, “We had no idea we were doing anything wrong as a transportation company that employs a lot of student-athletes.
“We want to change and develop, but we can’t agree to go out of business because of it.”
Collin Flynn, founder of Iowa-based UniMovers, told the WSJ that students make excellent employees with schedules that match the industry.
He also added that since the job is physically demanding, it is best to have physically fit young people.
He said: “They know they are getting young men with strong backs and they will act quickly. We charge hourly.
Meanwhile, Walter Olson, a senior fellow at the libertarian think tank Cato Institute, said age-related lawsuits could make companies less likely to target older adults because they pose a liability risk.
Company owner Aaron Steed, seen here, disputed the agency’s claims, saying they would hire anyone of any age.
He told the publication: “This is the most counterproductive of all the major areas of discrimination law.” This makes them less attractive for employment later in their careers as they are known to be litigation risks.”
Anna Park, Los Angeles County District Attorney, said: “Excluding older workers based on their age for marketing purposes is illegal.
“Employers should be aware that establishing criteria and hiring based on a person’s age violates federal law.”
Los Angeles County Director Christine Park-Gonzalez commented: “Inaccurate and unfair assumptions that someone cannot do a job because of their age or that clients prefer younger workers are the impetus for the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. to work.
“The EEOC will continue to ensure a level playing field for candidates and employees in the workplace.”
The Biden administration’s focus on age discrimination comes as America’s workforce ages, with nearly a quarter of workers over 55.
The Labor Department estimates that the number of people 65 and older working will grow by a third over the next decade.