Nike faced a class-action lawsuit alleging gender discrimination at the company. The lawsuit, which was filed by former Nike employee Kelly Cahill, claimed that Nike had a "boy's club" culture that discriminated against women in promotions, pay, and job assignments. The case was eventually unsealed in 2019, allowing the public to see the details of the allegations.
According to the lawsuit, women at Nike were routinely passed over for promotions and paid less than their male counterparts, even when they had similar qualifications and job titles. The lawsuit also claimed that women were often given lower performance evaluations than men and were assigned to lower-paying job categories.
In addition to these allegations of discrimination, the lawsuit also claimed that Nike had a culture of sexual harassment and misconduct, with women being subjected to inappropriate comments and advances from male colleagues.
In response to the lawsuit, Nike stated
"it is committed to promoting diversity and equality at the company, and that it has implemented a number of initiatives to address the issues raised in the lawsuit. These include training programs for employees, hiring more women and people of color, and promoting more women into leadership positions."
The outcome of the lawsuit is currently unknown, but it has brought attention to the issue of gender discrimination in the workplace and the importance of creating inclusive and equitable environments for all employees. It is crucial for companies to take steps to address and prevent discrimination, harassment, and other forms of misconduct, and to create a culture where all employees are treated with respect and given equal opportunities to succeed.
In the gender discrimination lawsuit filed against Nike, the plaintiffs also alleged that the company had a culture of sexual harassment and misconduct. According to the lawsuit, women at Nike were subjected to inappropriate comments and advances from male colleagues, and were often afraid to speak out about these incidents due to fear of retribution. Nike executives would get “sloppy drunk” and prey on female subordinates while the company ignored their complaints, according to an unsealed gender discrimination lawsuit against the sneaker giant. The lawsuit included specific examples of sexual harassment and misconduct, including instances of male employees making inappropriate comments about female colleagues' bodies, asking women out on dates despite being rejected, and touching women without their consent. The lawsuit also claimed that some women at Nike were subjected to sexual assault and rape by their colleagues. One woman reported finding an executive receiving oral sex from a female subordinate in the campus gym, according to the civil complaint filed in US District Court in Oregon.
It is important to note that the allegations in the lawsuit have not been proven in court and that Nike has denied any wrongdoing. However, the lawsuit highlights the need for companies to take steps to prevent and address sexual harassment and misconduct in the workplace. This includes implementing policies to prevent such behavior, providing training and education to employees, and ensuring that there are processes in place for individuals to report incidents of harassment and misconduct. It is crucial for companies to create a safe and respectful work environment for all employees. For more on the story as it develops, and to stay up to date with the latest releases, connect with us on Instagram and Twitter.