According to reports, popular restaurant chain Texas Roadhouse was recently sued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for alleged discrimination during its hiring process.
Several older applicants told the EEOC that hiring managers at the Kentucky-based steakhouse told them the company needed “young, hot [employees] who are ‘chipper’ and stuff.” In addition, older applicants relayed this discriminatory practice has been ongoing since at least 2007.
Upon further investigation, the company’s training and employment manuals exclusively show pictures of younger workers, and youth was emphasized to hiring managers.
The EEOC relayed in the suit that fewer than 2 percent of the company’s servers, hosts, greeters and bartenders – a division known as the “front of the house employees” – fall into older age groups.
The lawsuit seeks new hiring policies and monetary relief for the applicants denied employment. The case also highlights the importance of avoiding discriminatory actions at all costs, as similar professional liability lawsuits may arise and damage a company’s reputation.
