Moving company Meathead Movers settled a sex and age discrimination case with the federal government for $2 million.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission accused the San Luis Obispo-based company, which has a strong Fresno presence, of not hiring potential employees because of their age or sex.

As part of the settlement, Meathead Movers agreed to hire qualified workers for several positions and commit up to $1 million a year for four years to hire workers who were previously rejected. Meathead Movers will also hire independent monitors and comply with reporting requirements to the EEOC.

“Meathead Movers failed to recruit and hire individuals over the age of 40 and advertised in a way that deterred older workers from applying for positions. The EEOC further alleged that the company had, among other things, subjective hiring criteria favoring very young workers, serving as a proxy for age,” an EEOC news release said.

The EEOC filed the lawsuit in 2023 for actions dating to 2017. The settlement also resolves an investigation on behalf of women in the company who worked as packers and were denied moving positions.

“Employers should not make assumptions about a candidate’s ability to do a job simply because of their age or sex and should make sure their hiring and recruiting practices are based on individual abilities, not stereotypes,” EEOC attorney Anna Park said.

Meathead Movers did not immediately respond.

Brothers Aaron and Evan Steed founded the company in 1997 while still in high school. They hired several of their athlete friends, and the company rapidly expanded. The company has seven offices in California, including Fresno.

The settlement allows discriminated individuals seven years to file a claim with the EEOC by calling (213) 785-3088 or emailing meatheadlawsuit@eeoc.gov.