Earlier this month Google executive Ulku Rowe became the first person to face Google in court over sexist discrimination since a 2018 mass walkout led the company to stop forcing employees to settle such matters privately. Last Friday, a Manhattan jury rendered its verdict, finding that Google had discriminated against Rowe on the basis of her gender and retaliated after she objected to the mistreatment.
Mencini says Google disagrees with the jury’s finding that it discriminated and retaliated against Rowe. “We prohibit retaliation in the workplace and publicly share our very clear policy,” Mencini wrote. She did not comment on whether Google plans to appeal. Claire Stapleton, one of the organizers of the 2018 walkout, is celebrating Rowe’s victory while acknowledging the burden of speaking out.