Snap will pay $15 million settlement following sex-based discrimination investigation

Snapchat chooses to settle a California gender discrimination case alleging harassment and retaliation.

Snapchat is resolving a sex-based employment discrimination case with a $15 million settlement, following accusations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation against women who worked for the company.

According to the California Civil Rights Department, Snap Inc. (Snap) agreed to pay the settlement following a three-year investigation into the company's equal pay and anti-discrimination practices.

The probe found that female employees were frequently discouraged from applying to promotions, subjected to "unwelcome sexual advances and other harassment," and faced retaliation by way of negative performance reviews and termination.

"While we disagreed with the California Civil Rights Department’s claims and analyses, we took into consideration the cost and impact of lengthy litigation, and the scope of the CRD’s other settlements, and decided it is in the best interest of the company to resolve these claims and focus on the future," wrote Snap in a statement about the settlement. According to the terms, $14.5 million will be paid to female workers employed at the company between 2014 and 2024.

Last week, a class action lawsuit was filed against Apple for alleged discriminatory pay practices and gender-biased promotion practices. The complaint similarly hinges upon California equal pay, employment, and unfair business practice laws.

"In California, we’re proud of the work of our state's innovators who are a driving force of our nation’s economy," wrote Kevin Kish, director of the state's Civil Rights Department. "We're also proud of the strength of our state’s civil rights laws, which help ensure every worker is protected against discrimination and has an opportunity to thrive. [...] Women are entitled to equality in every job, in every workplace, and in every industry."