A lawsuit filed this week in the state of Washington accuses Meta, the tech giant founded by Mark Zuckerberg, of sexual harassment, sex discrimination, and retaliation against one of its earliest employees, Kelly Stonelake. Stonelake, who spent 15 years at the company and rose to the rank of director, alleges in the lawsuit that she faced a cycle of gender-based discrimination and harassment that persisted from shortly after her hiring in 2009 to when she was laid off in January 2024.

According to the lawsuit, Stonelake reported sexual harassment and assault to Meta's human resources department, but the company failed to take action. She also alleges that she was retaliated against after she flagged a video game product as racist and potentially harmful to minors, and was routinely passed over for promotions in favor of men on her team. By the time she was laid off, Stonelake states in the suit that she was on extended medical leave for post-traumatic stress disorder, which she claims was caused by the alleged discriminatory conditions at Meta.

The lawsuit comes at a time when Meta and its founder Mark Zuckerberg are undergoing an evolution that appears to be shifting to the political right. Zuckerberg has been criticized for his recent comments on the need for "masculine energy" in the workplace, and Meta has eliminated third-party fact-checking and halted its biggest diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. These actions have been seen as aligning with the policies of President Trump, whom Zuckerberg has been accused of courting.

Stonelake's lawsuit alleges that the sexual harassment started almost immediately after she joined the company. She claims that a colleague grabbed her crotch during a company social gathering, and that her manager later attempted to force himself on her during a business trip. Stonelake also alleges that she was denied promotions and faced retaliation after she reported the incidents to Meta's human resources department.

Stonelake's experience is not an isolated incident, according to her lawyer. The lawsuit illustrates a larger pattern of abuse at Meta, which has the potential to do harm on a massive scale. "Meta has the opportunity to do harm on a scale that only tech companies can," Stonelake told TechCrunch. "I decided to file the lawsuit when it became clear that was the best, if not the only, way to drive accountability at Meta."

The lawsuit sheds light on the darker side of Meta's culture, which has been touted as a place where employees can let off steam and be themselves. However, Stonelake's experience suggests that the company's leadership has failed to create a safe and inclusive environment for all employees. As Stonelake rose through the ranks, she alleges that she faced increasing harassment and discrimination from her male colleagues, who were often promoted over her.

The lawsuit also highlights the lack of accountability at Meta, where employees who engage in harassment and discrimination are often allowed to continue working without consequence. Stonelake's manager, who allegedly harassed and discriminated against her, was allowed to stay at the company for years without facing any disciplinary action.

The implications of Stonelake's lawsuit are far-reaching, and could have significant consequences for Meta and the tech industry as a whole. The lawsuit serves as a reminder that even the most powerful and influential companies can have a dark underbelly, and that it is up to employees and leaders to create a culture of accountability and respect.

Meta has declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing pending litigation. However, the company's silence on the matter only serves to underscore the need for accountability and transparency in the tech industry.