Snapchat to Pay $15 Million in California Harassment Settlement

Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, has agreed to a $15 million settlement with California following a three-year investigation by the California Civil Rights Department into allegations of discrimination, retaliation, and sexual harassment against female employees. The investigation covered Snap's practices between 2015 and 2022, finding that women were often discouraged from applying for promotions, lost promotions to less qualified male colleagues, and faced unwelcome sexual advances. The settlement includes $14.5 million in direct relief to female employees who worked at Snap between 2014 and 2024, and requires court approval.

As part of the agreement, Snap will hire an independent consultant to review its pay and promotion policies and conduct a third-party audit on its compliance with laws against sexual harassment, retaliation, and discrimination. The company has denied the allegations but agreed to the settlement to avoid prolonged litigation. This settlement aims to address claims that female employees, particularly in engineering roles, faced a "glass ceiling" and retaliation for speaking out about their experiences. The California Civil Rights Department has praised the settlement as a step toward ensuring fair treatment in the workplace.