Cisco Faces Civil Rights Probe over Alleged Hostile Work Environment Claims
Cisco Systems is facing a civil rights probe after a federal agency found 'reasonable cause to believe' the company subjected Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim employees to a hostile work environment.
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission made this determination in June following an investigation into harassment claims by employees who called on Cisco to end its business dealings with Israel.
Pro-Palestinian employees circulated an open letter urging the company to sever ties, which was signed by over 1,700 employees. However, they were subsequently subjected to racist and Islamophobic messages in internal forums, including the Connected Jewish Network.
Cisco has disputed the EEOC's finding, stating it had thoroughly investigated concerns and taken appropriate action, but Legal Aid at Work, which represented the Muslim and pro-Palestinian employees, believes this is the first EEOC finding against a major tech company involving discrimination against workers engaged in pro-Palestinian advocacy.