Philadelphia Employment Lawyers: Male Employee Sues Yahoo for Sexism
A former editor at Yahoo has filed a lawsuit alleging that female managers discriminated against male employees in both their hiring and termination practices. According to the plaintiff, the tech-giant’s quarterly performance review (QPR) system was arbitrary, and it was used as a screen to accommodate management’s subjective biases and personal opinions to the detriment of male employees. Although there are many stories about gender bias in the California tech industry, they usually involve discrimination against women, making this case unique.
The plaintiff was laid off in 2014 after receiving unfavorable QPR ratings along with around 600 other Yahoo employees. At the time he was laid off, he was on a leave of absence to attend the Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowship program at the University of Michigan. He was attending as a journalist representing Yahoo.
The ex-employee claims that he was fired after an unsuccessful review through Yahoo’s QPR system. The system allegedly uses a numeric ranking system to evaluate employee performance. Employees who receive the lowest scores are often fired. The lawsuit also alleges that female managers manipulated the QPR program to accommodate their own biases. The lawsuit claims that when male and female employees received equally low scores, only men would be fired—female employees would be permitted to appeal. The suit also asserts that men were systematically denied management positions.
The lawsuit sets forth the premise that there was no transparency in the QPR process—employees did not know who made the final decisions, what numbers were being assigned along the way, or why numbers were being changed. In short, the purportedly objective system was being manipulated.
Male complaints about sex discrimination and harassment have been on the rise in recent years. According to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), discrimination against men in the workplace is unlawful.
This lawsuit alleges more than just gender discrimination: it also claims wrongful termination and asserts that Yahoo fired employees without just cause, and failed to give the legally required notice periods prior to termination.
Philadelphia Employment Lawyers at Sidkoff, Pincus & Green Represent Victims of Gender Discrimination
No one should face discrimination because of his or her gender. If you suspect that you may have been terminated or suffered adverse employment consequences solely because of your gender, we will fight to uphold your civil rights. To discuss your case with a knowledgeable employment lawyer in Philadelphia at Sidkoff, Pincus & Green, call us at 215-574-0600 or contact us online today.