Cisco Found Likely Guilty of Harassing Pro-Palestinian Employees

A federal agency has found that Cisco Systems likely violated the civil rights of Palestinian and Muslim employees after they were subjected to harassing messages in an internal forum.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission determined in June that there was 'reasonable cause to believe' Cisco created a hostile work environment based on national origin, religion, or association in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The finding stems from an EEOC probe into an ugly climate at the tech company following the October 7, 2023, deadly attacks by Hamas on southern Israel. Pro-Palestinian employees called for Cisco to end its business dealings with Israel, while Jewish employees said the company failed to protect them from harassment.

The case involves messages shared in the internal Connected Jewish Network forum, where some employees 'repeatedly glorified violence' and labeled Palestinians as 'murderous, violent terrorists,' according to a complaint filed by Legal Aid at Work.