Vice Saying It ‘Failed’ to End Boys' Club Doesn't Stop Lawsuit

• February 14 2018

Vice Media Inc.’s acknowledgment that it should have treated women employees better came back to bite the company.

Vice Media Inc.’s acknowledgment that it should have treated women employees better came back to bite the company.

The very first paragraph in a gender-bias lawsuit filed against Vice Tuesday quotes a December statement from its co-founders saying “we have failed as a company to create a safe and inclusive workplace where everyone, especially women, can feel respected and thrive." The letter to Vice’s global staff emerged as the New York Times published a story describing more than a dozen cases of sexual misconduct and legal settlements paid to four women.

The complaint in Los Angeles state court also spits back the pledge by co-founders Shane Smith and Suroosh Alvi to achieve “pay parity by the end of 2018.”

A spokesman for Vice Media said the company is reviewing the complaint.

“As a company, we have made a significant commitment to a respectful, inclusive and equal workplace,” Ian Fried said in an emailed statement. “That commitment includes a pay parity audit started last year, a goal of 50/50 female/male representation at every level by 2020, and the formation of a Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board.”

Elizabeth Rose, a Vice project manager in Los Angeles, alleged that Vice discriminates against women by permitting male-dominated management to favor men in pay, promotions and other opportunities and “condones a company culture that marginalizes, demeans, and undervalues women.”

Claiming violations of California, New York, and federal equal pay laws, Rose seeks class-action status on behalf of hundreds of other employees and wants damages as well as a court order barring future discrimination.