Niantic, the tech company best known for creating Pokémon Go, is facing a legal challenge brought forth by a former employee known as Jane Doe, accusing the firm of gender discrimination and sexism. The lawsuit, primarily focused on the mistreatment of women, particularly women of colour, seeks to represent a larger group affected by what the plaintiff describes as a male-dominated corporate culture.
Doe, an Asian woman, was employed by Niantic from 2020 until 2023. Her lawsuit claims that the company systematically undervalues the contributions of its female employees. She alleges discrimination in various aspects, including pay scale, promotion opportunities, and overall recognition of work.
The lawsuit documents indicate that Doe’s initial annual salary was $70,000 in 2020. Following a promotion in 2021, her salary increased to $84,000. However, she later found out that a male colleague, less experienced and holding a lower position, was remunerated more generously.
In 2023, Doe spotted an advertisement for her job role with a salary band that was higher than her own. She consulted with another male colleague in the same position, who confirmed his pay fell within this higher range.
Following these discoveries, Doe raised her concerns with the diversity and inclusion leadership at Niantic. Instead of support, she alleges that she was threatened with negative evaluations, instilling a fear of potential job loss. This response, Doe claims, created a hostile work environment and demonstrated a lack of respect for employee concerns.
A survey carried out by a women’s group within the company, known as Wolfpack, revealed perceptions of a sexist work culture and unequal pay structures. Yet, according to Doe, the chief marketing officer at Niantic recommended that comments about sexism be removed from the survey results and further surveys be halted.
Doe’s legal representatives claim that Niantic’s handling of its female employees signals they are less valued and would face opposition if they raised issues about their treatment. The lawsuit states, “Niantic’s treatment of its female employees sent them the message that they were not valued at Niantic and would be held back in the workplace because they are women and/or women of colour.”
The plaintiff’s accusations suggest that Niantic’s workplace culture breaches various laws, including those related to equal pay, discrimination, and retaliation. Doe is seeking a jury trial and compensation for all those affected, including for lost wages and missed promotion opportunities stemming from the alleged discriminatory practices.
Niantic, originally a Google subsidiary, became independent in 2015. Since then, the company has made a significant impact on the tech industry with various augmented reality games and platforms. However, recent discontinuations of several games and the layoff of 230 employees, including Doe, indicate some turbulence within the company.
As the tech industry continues to grapple with accusations of systemic sexism and discrimination, lawsuits like Doe’s shine a light on the challenges and inequities faced by women and minorities. The outcome of this case could carry far-reaching implications for Niantic and similar tech companies.