Pinterest Employees Stand Up Against Employment Discrimination
On August 14, 2020, Pinterest employees organized a walkout in solidarity with three former colleagues who experienced alleged racial and gender discrimination with the company. Aside from the walkout, there is also an online petition calling out for a systemic change at Pinterest.
The company, which is known for its virtual pin boards and mood boards, has been sued by its former COO, Françoise Brougher.
The employment discrimination lawsuit includes allegations of gender discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination. According to the complaint, Brougher was paid less than her male colleagues, was left out of important meetings, and was given gender-related feedback. After complaining about being mistreated, she was then fired.
Before this lawsuit, two Black women who were former employees of the company likewise alleged that they suffered discrimination during their time working at Pinterest. Ifeoma Ozoma and Aerica Shimizu Banks went public with their employment discrimination claims in May, and the company has faced backlash since then.
What Constitutes Employment Discrimination?
According to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), employment discrimination means that someone treats a person ‘differently, or less favorably’ at work because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, national origin, or genetic information.
There are many types of discrimination, and the EEOC protects workers from various kinds.
An example of employment discrimination would be being written up and singled out for discipline because you are black, while your white colleagues never get disciplined for the same infractions. Another example is complaining to the HR about being discriminated against by your superiors, and then being retaliated at for complaining.
Of course, the facts may differ across cases, but there is a similar pattern: that one person gets treated unfavorably because of race, color, religion, sex, age, and others.
What are Some Federal Laws That Protect Workers from Employment Discrimination?
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate someone because of his race, color, religion, national origin, or sex
- Pregnancy Discrimination Act expanded the protection under Title VII to include discriminations due to pregnancy, childbirth, and/or a medical condition related thereto
- Equal Pay Act of 1963 prohibits sex-based wage discrimination among men and women who are performing equal work in the same workplace
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects employees who are 40 years of age or older
- Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) protects persons with disability and makes it illegal to discriminate against them before or during employment
There are also state and city laws that protect employees from workplace discrimination.
What Are Different Types of Employment Discrimination?
- Unfair Treatment – This usually happens when a person is treated unfavorably due to his race, color, religion, sex, age, etc. Some examples are singling out a person due to his color and disciplining that person alone when several other employees are involved in an incident.
- Harassment – Harassment should be so severe that it hinders the employee from performing his or her job. An example would be pestering an employee for sexual favors while working.
- Denial of a Reasonable Workplace Change – Asking for accommodation because of disabilities or religious beliefs. An example is giving a person with a walking stick or a wheelchair, the task of running errands in a multi-story building without accommodations for his disability.
- Retaliation Due to Complaints About Job Discrimination, or Because of Investigation or a Lawsuit – This happens when a person is discriminated at work or treated poorly because of complaining about some job discrimination. An example is suddenly demoting a person who has complained about sexual harassment against her immediate superior.
Regardless of the type, if your rights have been violated, we may be able to help.
Call Our Experienced Employment Discrimination to Enforce Your Legal Rights
If you feel discriminated at work, it is always best to consult with lawyers. Our employment discrimination lawyers can help you figure out the best ways to enforce your rights under our laws.
Try to gather information about your discrimination at work so you can have solid evidence against your employer and/or perpetrator. Keep records of relevant emails and statements. This can help you prove your case in the long run.
If you have experienced any kind of employment discrimination at work, our lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP, can help figure out the best way to move forward. Our employee discrimination lawyers are experienced helping employees file EEOC charges and lawsuits, and protecting your rights under the applicable laws.
Protect yourself from employment discrimination. Call Alonso Krangle, LLP, today at 800-403-6191 to schedule a free consultation with our employment discrimination lawyers.