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Snapchat Inc. To Pay $15 Million To Settle Discrimination And Harassment Lawsuit In California
SAN FRANCISCO — Snapchat Inc. will pay $15 million to resolve a complaint filed by California’s civil rights regulator, alleging that the business discriminated against female employees, failed to prevent workplace sexual harassment, and retaliated against women who complained.
The settlement with Snapchat Inc., which owns the popular disappearing-message app of the same name, applies to women who worked for the firm in California between 2014 and 2024, the California Civil Rights Department announced Wednesday. The deal is subject to court approval.
According to a department statement, the agreement concludes a more than three-year inquiry into allegations that the Santa Monica, California-based corporation discriminated against female employees in terms of pay and promotions.
Snapchat Inc. To Pay $15 Million To Settle Discrimination And Harassment Lawsuit In California
“In California, we’re proud of the work of our state’s innovators, who are a driving force in our nation’s economy,” said Kevin Kish, director of the California Civil Rights Agency. “This settlement with Snapchat illustrates a shared commitment to creating a California where all workers have an equal opportunity to achieve the American Dream. Women deserve equal treatment in all jobs, workplaces, and industries.
Snapchat Inc. stated that it disagrees with the agency’s claims but chose to settle to avoid costly and long litigation.
“We care deeply about our commitment to maintain a fair and inclusive environment at Snap, and do not believe we have any ongoing systemic pay equity, discrimination, harassment, or retaliation issues against women,” a statement from the business reads.
Snapchat Inc. To Pay $15 Million To Settle Discrimination And Harassment Lawsuit In California
Snapchat Inc. expanded from 250 people in 2015 to over 5,000 by 2022. However, the rise did not transfer into advancement for female employees, who “were told to wait their turn, were actively discouraged from applying for promotions, or lost promotion opportunities to less qualified male colleagues,” California officials claimed.
According to the lawsuit, women in engineering roles, who comprise around 70% of Snap’s staff, faced difficulties while attempting to move from entry-level positions.
In its case, California’s civil rights office also claimed that women were sexually harassed and that when they spoke up, they were met with reprisal, including negative performance reviews and firing. The organization reported that male managers consistently promoted male employees over more qualified women.
“Women were told, both implicitly and explicitly, that they were second-class citizens at Snap,” the agency claims in its lawsuit.
Snapchat | AP News Image
Snapchat Inc. To Pay $15 Million To Settle Discrimination And Harassment Lawsuit In California
The settlement will compel the corporation to employ an independent consultant to assess its remuneration and promotion practices and retain an outside auditor to ensure compliance with sexual harassment, retaliation, and discrimination. Officials also stated that the corporation must train its employees to prevent workplace discrimination, retaliation, and sexual harassment.
Snapchat Inc. has agreed to notify all workers of their right to report harassment or discrimination without fear of retaliation.
SOURCE – (AP)
