California Department of Civil Rights open Snap Inc. agreed. to pay $15 million to settle her lawsuit “concerning discrimination, harassment, and retaliation against women at the company.” California’s civil rights agency began investigating the company behind Snapchat more than three years ago over allegations that it discriminated against and retaliated against female employees. The agency accused the company of failing to ensure that female employees received equal wages despite a period of rapid growth between 2015 and 2022.
Women, especially those in engineering roles, were allegedly discouraged from applying for promotions, losing out to less qualified male colleagues when they did. They also had to endure unwanted sexual advances and faced retaliation when they spoke out, the agency said. Female employees were given negative performance evaluations, denied opportunities, and were eventually terminated.
“In California, we are proud of the work of our state’s innovators who are the driving force of our nation’s economy,” CRD Director Kevin Kish said in a statement. “We’re also proud of the strength of our state’s civil rights laws, which help ensure every worker is protected from discrimination and has the opportunity to thrive. This settlement with Snapchat demonstrates a shared commitment to a California where all workers have a fair shot at the American Dream. Women are entitled to equality in every A job, in every workplace, in every industry.”
Snapchat denies that the company has a problem with unequal pay and sexism. In a statement sent to Politico And BloombergShe says she decided to settle only because of the costs and impact of a lengthy lawsuit. “We care deeply about our commitment to maintaining a fair and inclusive environment at Snap, and we do not believe we have any ongoing issues of equal pay, discrimination, harassment, or retaliation against women. While we disagreed with the California Department of Civil Rights’ allegations and after analyses, we considered the cost of and the impact of protracted litigation, and the scope of other CRD settlements, and we have determined that it is in the company’s best interest to resolve these claims and focus on the future,” the company explains.
Under the terms of the settlement, which still must be approved by a judge, $14.5 million of the total amount will be allocated to women who worked as employees of Snap Inc. In California between 2014 and 2024. The company will also be required to acquire a third stake. The party monitor reviews its compliance with sexual harassment, retaliation, and discrimination.
The California Department of Civil Rights was the same agency that He filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard In 2021, the company was accused of promoting a “frat boy” culture that encouraged rampant misogyny and sexual harassment. The agency also found that women at the company were overlooked for promotions and were paid less than their male colleagues. She settled with the video game developer in late 2023 for $54 million, although she had to withdraw her allegations of widespread sexual harassment at the company.