Meacham v. Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, 554 U.S. 84 (2008), was a case decided by the Supreme Court of the United States on June 19, 2008.

[1][2] When Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL) conducted a reduction in force in 1996, the employees were assessed based on factors of performance, flexibility, criticality of skills, and years of service.

26 of these employees filed suit against KAPL asserting, inter alia, disparate impact based on age under the ADEA.

At trial, a jury found for the employees on the disparate impact claim and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit initially affirmed.

The Second Circuit then vacated its previous decision and held that the petitioners failed to carry their burden of persuasion to prove that KAPL's method of evaluating employees was unreasonable.