Readers may be aware that two major media networks widely felt to be on opposite ends of the political spectrum are currently involved in ongoing discrimination litigation concerning former employees. One of the networks is CNN, which was hit last month with a class-action lawsuit on behalf of current and former black employees.
The attorney spearheading the lawsuit has reportedly been gathering evidence of discrimination over the last several years, and claims that discrimination against African American employees has been “a company-wide pattern and practice” for at least the last 20 years. In support of the allegations, the attorney cites various findings demonstrating racial, such as disproportionately lower scores on work evaluations, differences in compensation, higher termination rates, slower promotion rates and under-representation among high level employees within the company. He also cites evidence of racial bias among superiors.
The CNN lawsuit comes in the wake of previous lawsuits over the last few years, one in 2014, another in 2015 and a third last year. Those lawsuits all involved racial discrimination in some form.
Another major media network currently facing discrimination litigation is Fox News, which has been hit with several sexual harassment lawsuits in recent months. At the center of the litigation is the network’s former CEO Roger Ailes. His accusers say that he targeted young, attractive, vulnerable anchors and made sexual advances in exchange for career advancement. Ailes has denied all the allegations, though Fox has already settled at least one of the cases, and for a significant sum of money.
It goes without saying, of course, that those who are subjected to racial or sexual harassment on the job have the right to be compensated for the negative effects of that discrimination. Working with experienced legal counsel ensures that one has guidance in building the best case and effectively navigating the legal process.
Source: Los Angeles Times, “Fox News hires a new human resources chief in response to sexual harassment claims,” Stephen Battaglio, Dec. 14, 2016.