Sony Class Action Says ‘Female Creator’ Position Is Discriminatory

A Sony class action claims that the multinational corporation discriminates against men with its female creator position.

In 2018 and 2019, Sony reportedly offered contracts for “Sony Electronics Alpha Female Creator in Residence Program.” The program was allegedly open to only female creators working in photography, videography, and filmmaking.

The five female winners for the 2018-2019 program would reportedly get a six month contract with the company, a mentorship with Sony, $25,000 in funding, more than $4,000 per month over the course of six months, $5,000 in Sony products, two exhibits showcasing the winners’ works, and other accommodations. The 2019-2020 program reportedly has similar benefits for the six winners.

Plaintiff Rich Allison recently filed the Sony class action claiming that this policy is discriminatory against men because it excludes “all African-American men, Hispanic men, Asian-American men, gay men, transgender men, elderly men, disabled men, all men, and all non-binary persons” from bidding on or entering into the contracts.

As a disabled U.S. Military veteran working as a photographer and videographer, Allison was allegedly unable to participate in the program simply because he was male.

In his Sony class action lawsuit, Allison compares the situation to the discrimination against “African-American women, Latinas, Asian-American women, lesbians, transgender women, elderly women, disabled women, and all women,” noting that such actions would spark “uproar, protests, and calls for a boycott by feminists and equal rights advocates.”

Despite this allegedly blatant discrimination, Sony reportedly touts itself as a diverse company, celebrating their “Diversity Week” each year. During this week, Sony management reportedly promotes diversity in its company through seminars, workshops, and experiences. These events reportedly aim to draw attention to issues of gender, race, sexuality, and disability and facilitate an open discussion around these topics.

Although Sony reportedly calls diversity a “core part” of their management style, Allison argues that the company fails to follow through on this with their female creator programs.

“Given Sony’s annual no-men-allowed and no-non-binary persons-allowed Alpha Female Creator In Residence Program, […] it appears Sony’s ‘Diversity & Inclusion’ programs and policies are just window dressing or virtue signaling created to curry favor with the public,” the Sony class action lawsuit argues.

“In reality, Sony’s marginalizes, excludes, boycotts, blacklists, refuses to contract with, and discriminates against men and non-binary persons in its women-only Alpha Female Creator In Residence Programs.”

In his Sony class action, Allison seeks to represent a Class of African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American, gay, transgender, elderly, and disabled men, and all non-binary persons who were denied the chance to submit a bid for the 2018-2019 or 2019-2020 Alpha Female Creator In Residence Program contracts due to their gender.

Do you think Sony is wrongfully discriminating against non-female employees with their program? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Allison and the proposed Class are represented by Alfred G. Rava of Rava Law Firm.

The Sony Gender Discrimination Class Action Lawsuit is Allison v. Sony Electronics Inc., et al., Case No. 37-2019-0052970-CU-CR-CTL, in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of San Diego.

Read More Lawsuit & Settlement News:

Walmart Class Action Says Female Employees Face Serious Gender Bias

Are Valsartan Patients at Risk for Esophageal Cancer?

Bass Pro Shops Class Action Says ‘Ladies’ Day Out’ Is Discriminatory

Drug Maker to Pay $15M to Settle Whistleblower Claim