Cisco accused of fostering a hostile workplace for Muslim and Arab employees

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has determined that Cisco may have violated the civil rights of Middle Eastern and Muslim employees, potentially fostering a hostile work environment. This finding stems from a complaint filed in December 2024 by a Cisco employee group, "Bridge to Humanity," who alleged harassment after voicing concerns about the company's technology sales to the Israeli military. The employees reported that an internal open letter opposing these sales was removed, and signatories subsequently faced harassment, including hate comments on internal messaging platforms. The EEOC's determination, issued in June, also indicated that Cisco retaliated against one employee for their involvement in pro-Palestine efforts by terminating them. Advocacy groups have praised the EEOC's decision as a step toward accountability for tech workers organizing around corporate sales to Israel.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has found reasonable cause to believe that Cisco violated the civil rights of Middle Eastern, Muslim, and other employees. This determination, made earlier this summer, follows employee complaints filed in December 2024. The complaints alleged that after the October 7, 2023 attacks, Cisco's internal communications platform contained racist and Islamophobic messages, which intensified after employees signed a letter challenging the company's ties to the Israeli government. The EEOC's investigation concluded that Cisco subjected a class of individuals to a hostile work environment based on their national origin, religion, and/or association with Muslim and Middle Eastern individuals, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Cisco has stated it disagrees with the EEOC's determination and thoroughly investigated concerns.