Pinterest maintains a following in Oregon and around the country among social media users interested in sharing pictures and images. Pinterest’s management likely invests significant effort in establishing the company’s brand and name. However, Pinterest’s image may now suffer in the wake of a sex discrimination scandal. The company’s former chief operating officer (COO), recently, filed a lawsuit claiming the company maintains a toxic work culture.
The once top executive claims that Pinterest’s male executives marginalized female executives. She also states the toxic environment embraces misogyny, which further adds to a hostile work environment. The former COO was fired from her executive position at Pinterest and filed a suit claiming the termination served as retaliation after she tried to shed light on the male-dominated company’s sexism and discriminatory practices.
The COO’s past work history includes an impressive stint at Google where she oversaw ad sales and a massive staff. At Pinterest, she dramatically increased company revenues. Pinterest fired the executive for, in part, not being “collaborative.” In the suit, the COO claimed she was not treated equally as male executives. Also, the complaint alleges that she received less compensation than male executives.
The high-profile nature of the case may undermine Pinterest’s popularity among users. An overwhelming percentage of Pinterest fans and followers are women, and gender-based discrimination reports could erode their support. Loss of support might lead to a decline in advertising revenue. Furthermore, a decision in the former COO’s favor might lead to significant legal expenses for Pinterest. It will take time to see how the litigation plays out. A settlement may resolve the issue, or the matter could go to trial.
Anyone dealing with discrimination in the workplace may not understand what employment law statutes cover protections and legal recourse. Meeting with an attorney may help with determining what legal options exist.
