Cisco Accused of Fostering Hostile Work Environment for Pro-Palestinian Employees
US-based tech giant Cisco has been found to have likely subjected pro-Palestinian employees to a 'hostile work environment,' according to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
The EEOC said it has 'reasonable cause to believe' that Cisco's actions violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, specifically targeting employees based on their national origin, religion, and/or association with Muslim or Middle Eastern individuals.
The allegations stem from a group of employees who belong to Bridge to Humanity (B2H), a segment of Cisco's workforce primarily composed of Palestinian, Arab, and/or Muslim employees. They circulated an open letter signed by 1,700 employees, seeking accountability for alleged sales to the Israeli military and the potential use of surveillance and AI technologies in support of its actions in Gaza.
B2H members claim they faced vicious and Islamophobic harassment in Cisco-moderated online spaces and outside of work after circulating the open letter. They reported that comments made by members of the company's Connected Jewish Network, an internal employee forum, included glorifying violence, joking about sending people to their deaths, likening Palestinians and opposing viewpoints to animals, and labeling them as 'murderous, violent, terrorists.'
Cisco responded to employees' complaints months later and removed some of the racist comments but failed to take broader actions to protect staff from harassment. The EEOC's determination is not a final court ruling but can be used as evidence in potential future lawsuits.