Technology
US agency finds Cisco probably violated Middle Eastern and Muslim employees' civil rights
The EEOC determined there is reasonable cause to believe the tech company subjected workers to a hostile environment following pro-Palestinian advocacy.
The short version
- The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) found reasonable cause to believe Cisco violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- The finding stems from December 2024 employee complaints detailing unmoderated racist and Islamophobic harassment on Cisco's internal platforms after workers protested the company's ties to the Israeli military.
- Cisco disagrees with the finding, stating it thoroughly investigated all concerns and took appropriate action.
- Following failed mediation efforts led by the EEOC, affected employees are currently considering individual and collective litigation.
Key facts
- An investigation by the EEOC's San Jose office concluded on June 9 that there is reasonable cause to believe Cisco subjected employees to a hostile work environment based on national origin, religion, or association.[The Guardian]
- The hostile environment allegations followed an April 2024 open letter by a group of Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian employees calling on Cisco to end its business relations with the Israeli military.[The Guardian]
- Employees reported that internal company forums were filled with comments celebrating the deaths of Palestinian civilians and threats to compile lists of those who signed the protest letter.[The Guardian]
- Cisco rejected the EEOC's findings, with a spokesperson stating that the company disagrees with the determination and has taken appropriate actions after investigating.[The Guardian]
- Mediation between the EEOC and Cisco was unsuccessful, prompting legal counsel for the employees to evaluate individual and class-action lawsuits.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- While former employees alleged that several organizers of the protest letter were subsequently terminated or pushed out of Cisco, the precise reasons for these job losses remain unconfirmed.[The Guardian]
- Related labor grievances filed by Cisco employees with the California labor commissioner and the National Labor Relations Board are still under review.[The Guardian]