Cisco Accused of Hostile Work Environment for Pro-Palestine Employees

Cisco Systems has been accused of fostering a hostile work environment for its employees who hold pro-Palestine views, according to a recent finding by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

The EEOC's San Jose office found 'reasonable cause to believe' that Cisco subjected Muslim and Middle Eastern employees to a hostile work environment based on their national origin, religion, and/or association with Muslim and/or Middle Eastern individuals.

The allegations arose from a group of employees who filed a complaint with the EEOC after claiming they faced harassment for expressing pro-Palestine views. They alleged that Cisco staff made racist and Islamophobic posts on an internal messaging platform, which celebrated the deaths of civilians during attacks between Israel and Hamas in October 2023.

The employees also claimed that their open letter, urging Cisco to stop selling equipment to the Israeli government, was removed from the platform and labeled as 'under review.'

Cisco has a significant workforce in Israel, where it operates a development center. In November last year, the company laid off staff at this facility as part of sweeping layoffs.

The EEOC's determination is not a final legal ruling, and complaints have also been filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the California Labor Commissioner.