Snapchat’s parent company, Snap Inc., has agreed to a $15 million settlement following a three-year investigation by the California Civil Rights Department (CRD). The probe uncovered allegations of sex discrimination, retaliation, and sexual harassment experienced by female employees between 2015 and 2022.
Key Findings:
- Discrimination: Women at Snap Inc. were reportedly discouraged from seeking promotions and often lost opportunities to less-qualified male colleagues.
- Harassment: Female employees faced unwelcome sexual advances and other forms of harassment.
- Retaliation: Those who spoke up encountered negative performance reviews, denial of professional opportunities, and termination.
State officials emphasized the importance of civil rights protections in fostering a fair working environment. Kevin Kish, the CRD Director, highlighted California’s commitment to safeguarding workers’ rights.
Settlement Details:
- Financial Compensation: $15 million, with $14.5 million allocated for female employees who worked at Snap between 2014 and 2024.
- Policy Reforms: Snap will hire an independent consultant to review its pay and promotion policies and conduct a third-party audit of its compliance with sexual harassment, retaliation, and discrimination laws.
Snap Inc. maintains that it disagrees with the CRD’s claims but opted for a settlement to avoid the costs and impacts of prolonged litigation.
Broader Context:
This settlement is part of a series of actions by California authorities to hold tech companies accountable:
- Activision Blizzard: A $54 million settlement in December 2023 over similar allegations of pay discrimination.
- Google: A multistate lawsuit ending in a $700 million settlement in late 2023.
- DoorDash: A settlement in February 2024 for allegedly selling customer personal information.
California’s proactive stance underscores the state’s dedication to enforcing civil rights laws in the tech industry.
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