SideShift App Founder's 'Under 26' Hiring Post Sparks Age Discrimination Concerns

Controversial Engineering Job Post

According to Evil HR Lady: SideShift App founder Drew Levin posted a job announcement on X specifically seeking engineers under the age of 26. The post, which quickly amassed 3.1 million views before being deleted, has drawn sharp criticism from legal experts. They argue it likely violates the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), which protects workers over 40, and New York State's Human Rights Law, which prohibits age-based discrimination from age 18. Age discrimination laws in the U.S. are designed to ensure fair hiring practices for all adults.

We are hiring young engineers to come grind in nyc. Must be under 26. - Drew Levin

Separately, Levin has promoted the free virtual Spring Forward HR conference, scheduled for March 9, 2026. Founded by HR consultant and Inc. columnist Suzanne Lucas, the event begins at 11:30 AM ET (8:30 AM PT) and will run for approximately seven hours. VIP attendees will have the opportunity to earn up to 6.5 SHRM and HRCI recertification credits.

Conference Speakers

The conference will feature presentations from several industry professionals, including:

• Ashley Hurd, founder of Manager Method
• Kristen Pressner, future Chief People Officer at Nokia and founder of BrainFriend
• Todd Stanton, an employment attorney and author of 'The 95% Rule'
• James Baker
• Justin Bariso
• Robin Schooling

Discussion topics will cover supporting managers, neurodiversity, setting performance standards for different thinking styles, and employment law. Registration is available at springforwardhr.com.

The incident with the age-restricted job post has raised serious questions about compliance with anti-discrimination and human rights statutes in the United States. Such actions can significantly damage a company's reputation and its ability to attract a diverse talent pool. Levin's post underscores the critical need for strict adherence to legal hiring standards.

The Spring Forward HR conference aims to foster knowledge-sharing among HR professionals, providing a relevant platform to address current workplace issues like neurodiversity and legal compliance. This highlights the growing corporate focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the modern workforce.