U.S. AGENCY PROBES FACEBOOK FOR SYSTEMIC RACIAL BIAS IN HIRING

A US agency investigating Facebook Inc. for racial bias in hiring and promotions has designated the probe as “systemic,” attorneys for three job applicants and a manager who are claiming that the company discriminated against them told Reuters.

A “systemic” probe means the agency, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), suspects that company policies may be contributing to widespread discrimination, Paresh Dave reported for Reuters on March 6, 2021.

The EEOC typically resolves disputes through mediation or allowing complainants to sue employers. But agency officials designate a few cases “systemic,” enabling investigators to rope in specialists to analyze company data and potentially bring a broader lawsuit representing entire classes of workers.

Facebook operations program manager Oscar Veneszee Jr. and two applicants denied jobs brought a charge last July to the EEOC, and a third rejected applicant joined the case in December.

They have alleged Facebook discriminates against Black candidates and employees by relying on subjective evaluations and promoting problematic racial stereotypes.

The designation of the EEOC’s probe has not been previously reported. The EEOC has not brought allegations against Facebook. Its investigation, which may last several months more, may not result in findings of wrongdoing. The agency declined to comment.

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