Employee sues Amazon for racial, gender discrimination in corporate hiring
What's the story
Amazon.com Inc has been sued for "systemic" discrimination against Black and female workers, especially for corporate roles. The lawsuit filed in federal court by Charlotte Newman alleges that Amazon hires Black people for lower positions and promotes them slower than White workers with similar qualifications. Amazon has issued a statement claiming it is investigating the allegations in the lawsuit.
Pay inequality
Newman alleges she was paid less than her White coworkers
Newman was hired in 2017 as a manager despite applying and being qualified for a senior manager position. The suit alleges that she was assigned the work of a senior manager-level employee. Newman claims she worked nearly three years to reach a position she should've been hired for, to begin with. Further, she was paid less than her White co-workers, particularly in Amazon's stocks.
Seeking damages
Newman's male colleagues called her 'aggressive,' 'too direct,' 'just scary'
Newman is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by Douglas Wigdor of Wigdor LLP, who also represented women suing Harvey Weinstein and Fox News for harassment and discrimination. Newman has accused male colleagues of calling her "aggressive," "too direct," and "just scary". These male co-workers have been named as defendants in the suit.
Last straw
Newman complained to Amazon before filing sexual assault lawsuit
Evidently, in June, Newman had filed a complaint against a senior male employee alleging sexual assault, harassment, and discriminatory attitude. In September, she had filed another complaint alleging racial and sexual harassment, this time with the Office of Human Rights in Washington. Bloomberg reports that most of the racial and gender diversity Amazon boasts of is in its blue collar warehouses, and not in its corporate ranks.
Big Tech hypocrisy
Amazon issued boilerplate statement promising investigation and appropriate action
In a statement, Amazon said that it is investigating Newman's allegations. The e-commerce giant added that it does not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. The lawsuit underscores the hypocrisy of Big Tech companies. While Amazon extends support to the Black Lives Matter movement, its apparent toxic culture of discrimination and harassment has compelled a black woman to sue the company.