07-17-2024
The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) sued Snapchat, accusing the social media platform of discriminating against female employees, failing to prevent sexual harassment, and retaliating against women who complained. CCD investigated the company for over three years.
According to CCD's announcement, Snapchat was founded in 2011 and rapidly expanded from 2015 to 2002, increasing its employees from 250 to over 5,000. The company did not take measures to ensure that women received equal pay and promotions. Female employees alleged they hit a "glass ceiling." The company told them to wait their turn for promotions, discouraged them from applying, or promoted less qualified men. The women were also subjected to sexually harassing conduct. When these women complained, the company's managers retaliated by giving negative performance reviews, denying them professional opportunities, or firing some of them.
Most of the $15 million settlement will go to the employees subjected to discrimination. As part of the settlement, Snapchat must hire an independent consultant to evaluate its compensation and promotion policies. It must also use an outside auditor to review its sexual harassment, retaliation, and discrimination compliance. The company will train its staff on preventing discrimination, retaliation, and sexual harassment. Snapchat denies the agency's claims but settled to avoid costly and lengthy litigation, stating it “does not believe we have any ongoing systemic pay equity, discrimination, harassment, or retaliation issues against women.” A court must approve the settlement.