Snapchat Inc. (“Snapchat”) has agreed to a $15 million settlement to resolve allegations made by California’s civil rights agency. The lawsuit accused the company of gender discrimination, failing to prevent sexual harassment, and retaliating against women who lodged complaints.
This settlement affects women who worked at Snapchat in California between 2014 and 2024 and awaits court approval. This agreement marks the end of a three-year investigation by the California Civil Rights Department. Most of the settlement dollars will go to those affected.
Snapchat told female workers to “wait their turn”
The lawsuit highlighted several critical issues regarding Snapchat’s treatment of female employees, particularly in engineering roles. Complaints alleged:
- Supervisors told female employees to “wait” their turn for promotions
- The company actively discouraged women from applying for promotions
- Less qualified male colleagues received preferential treatment for promotion opportunities
- Women in entry-level positions experienced barriers to advancing in engineering roles
As a result, female employees felt undervalued and overlooked at Snapchat. The civil rights agency found that male managers often promoted male employees over more qualified women, perpetuating gender inequality within the company.
Another disturbing claim in the lawsuit concerned sexual harassment against female employees. Investigators said when the women spoke up, they faced retaliation, such as negative performance reviews or termination.
The social media company grudgingly accepted responsibility
Officials denied the allegations, saying the company opted for a settlement to avoid prolonged and expensive litigation. In a statement, Snapchat said it’s dedicated to a fair and inclusive workplace and denies having ongoing systemic issues related to pay equity, gender discrimination, harassment, and retaliation against women.
To prevent similar issues in the future, the social media company agrees to implement several measures:
- Hiring an independent consultant to review its compensation, and promotion policies
- Retaining an external auditor to oversee compliance with policies on sexual harassment, retaliation, and discrimination
- Providing discrimination, retaliation, and sexual harassment prevention training
- Informing all employees about their rights to report harassment or discrimination without fear of reprisals
Snapchat says these measures encourage a more equitable and respectful work environment, ensuring all employees, regardless of gender, have fair opportunities for advancement and a harassment-free workplace.