Title: Moving Company Meathead Movers Sued by Federal Government for Age Discrimination
By Patrick Reilly
Published Dec. 9, 2023, 10:03 p.m. ET
A California-based moving company, Meathead Movers, is facing a lawsuit from the federal government for age discrimination in its recruiting and hiring practices. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed the lawsuit, alleging that Meathead Movers violated age-discrimination laws by not hiring enough older workers.
Meathead Movers, which was founded in 1997 and is based in Fresno, has a mission to hire student-athletes. The company’s social media posts often highlight its youthful, muscled employees engaging in physical activities such as lifting weights and boxes. They also hold an annual event called the “Meathead Olympics,” where employees race to assemble and leap over boxes.
Additionally, the company has a requirement for its workers to run from the moving truck to the home when they are empty-handed. Meathead Movers executives have defended their hiring practices by claiming that the job is too demanding for those who are not in peak physical shape.
Despite denying any age discrimination, the company has been accused of discouraging older workers from applying through its marketing and hiring practices. The EEOC alleges that the company’s recruitment efforts primarily target younger individuals, and existing employees are encouraged to seek out potential hires at local gyms and colleges.
Negotiation attempts between Meathead Movers and the EEOC failed, with the agency initially demanding $15 million before lowering it to $5 million. The company countered with a $750,000 settlement offer, but the EEOC eventually filed the lawsuit in September.
The EEOC’s pursuit of age-discrimination cases has increased since Democrats took control of the agency, reflecting a growing concern for older workers in the workforce. With a significant portion of the country’s workforce aged 55 and older, age bias has become a focus for the EEOC.
Advocates for older Americans have praised the agency for taking action against age discrimination, emphasizing the importance of valuing individuals based on their abilities rather than age stereotypes. The lawsuit against Meathead Movers marks a significant step in addressing age discrimination in the workplace.