The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) finding that there is “reasonable cause to believe” Cisco subjected Muslim and Middle Eastern employees, as well as employees associated with those communities, to a hostile work environment in violation of federal civil rights law.
SEE: Cisco Probably Violated Middle Eastern and Muslim Employee’s Civil Rights, US Agency Finds
The finding followed complaints from employees who said they faced anti-Muslim, anti-Arab, and anti-Palestinian harassment after speaking out about Palestine and Cisco’s ties to the Israeli government.
The employees are represented by Legal Aid at Work, which filed the EEOC complaint on their behalf.
In a statement, CAIR-SFBA Civil Rights Managing Attorney Jeffrey Wang said:
“The EEOC’s finding is an important step toward accountability and a reminder that federal civil rights protections apply equally to Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, and other employees who speak out about Palestine.
“Employers have a legal responsibility to address harassment and discrimination fairly and consistently. Workers should not have to fear retaliation or a hostile work environment because of their religion, national origin, or association with protected communities.”
“We thank Legal Aid at Work for representing these workers and helping bring their concerns before the EEOC.”
The EEOC’s determination is not a final court ruling, but it marks a significant federal finding in a workplace discrimination case involving pro-Palestinian advocacy.
CAIR-SFBA encourages anyone who believes they have experienced workplace discrimination based on religion, national origin, ethnicity, or association with a protected group to submit a report for legal guidance and assistance.
CAIR-SFBA is an office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
CONTACT: CAIR-SFBA Communications Manager Lorrie Adam, (408) 498-5779 or [email protected]