One of the most successful financial start-ups of the last decade, Social Finance (aka SoFi), is now under scrutiny for an age old problem, sexual harassment in the workplace. Like Uber and capital firms such as 500 Startups who have faced similar accusations of sexual harassment, SoFi has been forced to part ways with at least one top executive after accusations of workplace sexual harassment.
Retaliation and Wrongful Termination
The company, best known for refinancing student loans and offering mortgages to borrowers called Henrys (an acronym for High Earners Not Rich Yet), is reeling following a lawsuit brought by a former employee who claims he was fired after reporting that female employees were being harassed by managers.
Some of the reports that have followed point to an executive who allegedly sent sexually explicit emails to subordinates and, some argue, set the tone for other executives to engage in misconduct. One of his hires was heard on more than one occasion making lurid comments on female employees’ figures, making statements that ‘women would be happier as homemakers’, and went as far as offering female employees money if they would lose weight.
The situation playing out at SoFi reads like a textbook case of sex discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation in the workplace that companies across the nation should take note of because the law is clear.
Hostile or Offensive Work Environment
It is unlawful to harass a person because of their sex which can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical harassment sexual in nature. If the harassment is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive work environment such as the case alleged at SoFi, or results in an adverse employment decision such as firing or being passed over for a promotion, it is a violation of Federal Law.
Sexual harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination persists in workplaces across the country and here in Iowa, with some Iowa companies failing to act on an employee’s concerns. If you have been discriminated against, sexually harassed and have experienced retaliation in your Iowa workplace it is important to consult with an attorney that focuses specifically on workplace sexual harassment.
Conatct an Experienced Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Wrongful Termination Attorney
Marc Humphrey handles sexual harassment cases throughout Iowa and he is relentless about pursuing justice for victims of Iowa workplace sexual harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination. Contact Humphrey Law Firm, PC at 515-331-3510 or fill-out our online form.
Source: New York Times, “Another Silicon Valley Start-Up Faces Sexual Harassment Claims”, by Nathaniel Popper, August 11, 2017 & “It Was a Frat House’: Inside the Sex Scandal That Toppled SoFi’s C.E.O.”, by Nathaniel Popper and Katie Benner, September 12, 2017.
