Microsoft discrimination lawsuit overview:
- Who: Cassandra Granade filed a lawsuit against Microsoft Corporation.
- Why: Granade claims Microsoft created and permitted a hostile workplace environment against her as she was going through her gender transition and ultimately terminated her in retaliation for her complaints.
- Where: The lawsuit was filed in the Superior Court for the State of Washington.
Microsoft created and permitted a hostile work environment for a now-former employee who was going through a gender transition, a new lawsuit alleges.
Plaintiff Cassandra Granade claims she was subject to unlawful bullying and harassment on account of her gender transition during her time working as a senior software development engineer at Microsoft.
Granade argues she was ultimately wrongfully terminated after she repeatedly complained to Microsoft’s human resource department about the “offensively hostile work environment against LGBTQ+ employees, created and supported by Microsoft.”
“Ms. Granade made complaints to Microsoft’s Human Resources Department which resulted in gaslighting and retaliation, including (her) employment being terminated discriminatorily and in retaliation for her complaints,” the Microsoft lawsuit states.
Microsoft employee terminated on basis of sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation, says suit
Granade claims she reported as early as 2018 to her superiors that she was being harassed and bullied by one of her peers at Microsoft, however, she says no action was taken and that the discrimination continued.
Following repeated complaints, Granade argues she was given an “unfair, discriminatory, and retaliatory performance evaluation that deviated from typical policies” of the company in 2022, which led to her taking a mental health leave.
Granade says she was ultimately terminated by Microsoft while she was on vacation in October 2022, a decision she claims was unlawful discrimination on the basis of her sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
“As a result of Defendant Microsoft’s unlawful conduct, Ms. Granade has suffered substantial economic damages resulting from the discrimination, harassment and retaliation,” the Microsoft lawsuit states.
Grenade claims Microsoft violated the Washington Law Against Discrimination. She is asking for a jury trial and an award of actual damages.
In other Microsoft-related news, an Activision Blizzard investor filed a lawsuit against the video game company in November 2022 over its proposed merger with Microsoft, arguing the process has injured investors and was hurried to protect the reputation of Activision CEO Robert Kotick in the wake of harassment and discrimination scandals.
Has your employer discriminated against you on account of your sex, gender identity or sexual orientation? Let us know in the comments!
The plaintiff is represented by Jordan A. Taren and Robin J. Shishido of Shishido Taren Goldsworthy PLLC.
The Microsoft discrimination lawsuit is Granade v. Microsoft Corporation, Case No. 23-2-17623-5 SEA, in the Superior Court for the State of Washington.
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