Google Sued for Religious & Sexual Discrimination
Wednesday November 4, 2009
A former employee of Google is suing the search-engine giant saying he was treated in a discriminatory way by a supervisor, based in part upon his Wiccan beliefs. James Bara says in his claim that Pam Sohn, a manager in Google's Atlanta office, made numerous jokes about the sexual orientation of a transgendered employee. Bara says he spoke to Sohn about the matter, telling her that the remarks were inappropriate. Soon afterwards, he says, she began making inappropriate statements about Bara's religion.
The complaint goes on to describe "a series of escalating human resources complaints and alleged workplace retaliation... [Bara] charges that he began being treated differently in the office and was required to be in the office when female workers were not. He claims he and other male workers were not allowed to work from home whereas female workers were granted that privilege." Although Bara attempted numerous times to resolve the issue both by meeting with Bara and by speaking with the folks in Human Resources, he claims that his workplace environment became downright hostile.
Bara says that despite an outstanding work record in his three years at Google -- much of which was endorsed by Pam Sohn -- he was terminated in "an obvious, transparent, and classic case of retaliation." A Google spokesperson says, "After a thorough investigation, we have no reason to believe James Bara was discriminated against or treated unfairly, and we'll defend ourselves vigorously against these charges. Google values a diverse and respectful workforce and does not tolerate discrimination."
In the past, Google has been one of the companies at the forefront of respecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights. You can read the entire complaint here: Bara v. Google
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The complaint goes on to describe "a series of escalating human resources complaints and alleged workplace retaliation... [Bara] charges that he began being treated differently in the office and was required to be in the office when female workers were not. He claims he and other male workers were not allowed to work from home whereas female workers were granted that privilege." Although Bara attempted numerous times to resolve the issue both by meeting with Bara and by speaking with the folks in Human Resources, he claims that his workplace environment became downright hostile.
Bara says that despite an outstanding work record in his three years at Google -- much of which was endorsed by Pam Sohn -- he was terminated in "an obvious, transparent, and classic case of retaliation." A Google spokesperson says, "After a thorough investigation, we have no reason to believe James Bara was discriminated against or treated unfairly, and we'll defend ourselves vigorously against these charges. Google values a diverse and respectful workforce and does not tolerate discrimination."
In the past, Google has been one of the companies at the forefront of respecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights. You can read the entire complaint here: Bara v. Google
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook!
This sad story goes to show that though company policy may have the best intentions to embrace differences and deviations from the “norm”, its the people these companies hire who can mess it up for everyone.
As anyone knows who has ever worked in a large company, there is always that one employee in three who, for whatever reason makes the work place uncomfortable, if not downright miserable for most everyone else. Especially, if that trouble maker is in a supervisory or management position.
The James Bara VS. Google case is now online at the AllRise court. Join the debate and cast your vote – http://bit.ly/AllRise268
I ask all of those in the Wiccan community to not allow the rantings of a pathological liar to sway the perceptions of our community on a company that’s entire foundation is based upon the principle of “Don’t be evil.” Google’s mission statement is the only corporate message I have ever seen that lines up perfectly with the end of the Wiccan Rede. This is not a case of a bad apple spoiling the bunch, but rather a classic example of someone laying claims to a rich and ancient tradition without understanding the core beliefs of that tradition. Before passing judgement upon Google or any of the employees therein, I plead with our community to wait and see the outcome of the trial, which will exonerate Google and will erase the allegations against Ms. Sohn.
Google’s slogan may be “Don’t be Evil,” but Google’s actions don’t line up. Google keeps caches of your searches, unlike other search engines, and has been very cooperative in turning over this information to the government. They tried to cut copyright holders out of royalties with Google books. This company is no better than any other, and worse than some.
Have to agree with Google being just another company no better or worse than most. The problem with this supervisor doesn’t seem to be so much one of hating any certain group, but more about having power over and exploiting those in less traditional lifestyles. It’s an old trick for the bully type personality.
Bob, do you know James Bara?? are you actually that knowledgeable of him that you can call him a pathologial liar?? are you so sure that none of this actually happened?? who are you anyhow?? you sound like a mole. here you are singing the praises of Google & it’s employees & condemning Mr Bara. I personally would think that if someone is going to take the time & money to file a lawsuit, that there has to be truth behind it. otherwise, that’s perjury & would cause more trouble for the Plaintiff. I’m awaiting the outcome of this case to see which way justice goes.
I actually *do* know James Bara. He is a former co-worker of my girlfriend. If he’s not a pathological liar, he’s dang near borderline.
Compare the info that he supplied to his current employer in this article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20091019/bs_prweb/prweb3058634 to what he claims in his suit (http://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/georgia/gandce/1:2009cv03002/162539/1/)
There is a direct quote in that article about his new employers “tempting him away” from Google, but the lawsuit claims he was fired. Can’t have it both ways.
He also told his new employer that he held positions with Google that don’t even exist within the company!
I do not know James Bara and I do not know Pam Sohn. If this did happen, it is outrageous and unforgivable. In these days of technological advancement, I wish that people who are having these problems would arm themselves with a small camera and microphone to catch the offenders and prove their point once and for all. These days, you can purchase these items online very cheaply and it would certainly be worth it in the end. Unless you have absolute proof, companies this rich would be hard to fight. I am not saying that Google is a bad company, but even companies with great policies in order can have employees who have their own twisted minds and do not hold their open-minded ideals. If this is o, I say catch ‘em, once and for all.
To GetUpStandUp, though this seems like a good way to get justice, it wouldn’t go far in the legal system. The company could hide behind the fact that video taping people without their knowledge is a violation of their privacy, not just for the offender who is caught on tape but also the innocent bystanders who inadvertently get taped.
Leslie…interesting, since companies have cameras up in the workplace all the time and catch people attempting to defraud them through slip-and-fall insurance schemes, theft etc. Maybe he could have their own tapes brought to court.
And we certainly know the government tapes people all the time. (Yeah, I know, I know.)
I know Pam. I have known Pam for 35 years. She has always embraced diversity, in her personal life and her professional life. This lawsuit is without merit, and I expect the court to agree.