The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission found reasonable cause to believe Cisco Systems subjected employees to a hostile work environment based on national origin and religion. The finding follows complaints from employees who challenged the company's ties to the Israeli military and faced Islamophobic harassment.
The EEOC's finding highlights potential violations of civil rights for employees who speak out on political issues, particularly concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and underscores employers' responsibility to prevent harassment and discrimination in the workplace.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has found reasonable cause to believe that Cisco Systems subjected a class of employees to a hostile work environment based on their national origin, religion, and/or association with Muslim and/or Middle Eastern individuals. This determination follows complaints filed in December 2024 by employees who alleged that after challenging the company's ties to the Israeli military amid the war in Gaza, they faced Islamophobic harassment on internal communication platforms.
According to the EEOC's finding, the harassment escalated after over 1,700 Cisco employees signed an open letter to leadership seeking accountability for the company's sales to the Israeli military. The employees, who organized as "Bridge to Humanity" (B2H), reported that co-workers made comments comparing Palestinians to animals and wishing for the deaths of B2H members. Legal Aid at Work, representing the employees, stated that Cisco failed in its legal duty to end the sustained harassment.
Cisco Systems has stated that it disagrees with the EEOC's determination and that the company thoroughly investigated all concerns and took appropriate action. The EEOC now has the option to file a lawsuit against Cisco, and the affected employees are considering their next steps.