Ex-Meta Employee Takes Legal Action Alleging Discrimination Against Women
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A former employee of Meta, Kelly Stonelake, has recently filed a lawsuit against the company, citing a “toxic pattern of silencing women.” This legal action came in the wake of comments made by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg regarding the need for more “masculine energy” in the corporate world. Stonelake, who dedicated 15 years to Meta, launched her lawsuit on February 3, accusing the company of sex discrimination and retaliation.
Stonelake expressed her dismay at the discriminatory and hostile work environment she encountered during her time at Meta. She highlighted instances where escalating issues led to her becoming the problem, thus silencing women and widening the wealth gap in society. Despite reaching out to Meta, when approached by PEOPLE for comment on the ongoing litigation, a spokesperson for the company declined to provide a statement.
The 31-page complaint filed by Stonelake in Washington state’s King County Superior Court outlines her experiences of discrimination and harassment at Meta, dating back to her tenure from 2009. She recounted facing various challenges, including an alleged sexual assault by her manager during a business trip in 2011 and being subjected to inappropriate comments regarding career advancement.
Over the years, Stonelake claimed that as she rose through the company ranks, the discrimination she faced persisted and her concerns were frequently dismissed. One notable incident mentioned in the lawsuit involved an encounter where she questioned a colleague’s controversial profile picture following George Floyd’s murder in 2020, only to face hostility and retaliation from her boss, hindering her career progression.
In 2022, while overseeing the expansion of Meta’s Horizon virtual reality platform, Stonelake raised concerns about product safety issues endangering children. Despite advocating for a pause in the rollout to address these critical issues, she alleged being instructed to silence her female colleague and subsequently faced exclusion from key leadership meetings as a consequence.
Stonelake’s struggles culminated in a decline of a well-deserved promotion in January 2023, as articulating her achievements would allegedly expose failures by male leaders she relied on for support. This, coupled with feelings of marginalization, led to her taking emergency medical leave the following month due to severe depression and suicidal thoughts. Subsequently, she was informed of her layoff in September 2023, with her employment at Meta coming to an end in February.
Attorney Cindy Heidelberg, representing Stonelake, emphasized that Meta’s alleged pattern of retaliating against women who speak out is not only unethical but also illegal. The lawsuit aims to hold the company accountable and prevent similar instances of retaliation against women in the future. The legal action coincided with Zuckerberg’s controversial remarks on the need for more “masculine energy” in the corporate sphere, a stance that drew criticism from Stonelake and others.
In light of Meta’s reported revisions to its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and community standards, the company’s actions have come under scrutiny. Additionally, the company’s shift away from third-party fact-checking and contentious policy changes have raised concerns about inclusivity and accountability within the organization.
As the case unfolds, Stonelake’s courage in speaking out against workplace discrimination serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring fair treatment and equality for all employees. Meta’s response to these allegations will be closely watched as the company faces mounting pressure to address issues of discrimination and provide a safe and inclusive work environment for all employees.