Former Meta Worker Files Lawsuit Over Sexual Harassment and Gender Discrimination

In a significant legal development, Kelly Stonelake, one of Meta’s early employees and former Director of Product Marketing for Reality Labs, has filed a lawsuit against the tech giant, alleging sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and retaliation during her 15-year tenure. The lawsuit, filed on February 3, 2025, in Washington state, accuses Meta of fostering a “toxic pattern of silencing women who identify problems.”

Stonelake joined Meta, then known as Facebook, in 2009. She alleges that shortly after her hiring, she experienced sexual harassment and assault by a former executive. Despite reporting these incidents, she claims the company failed to take appropriate action. The lawsuit details instances where Stonelake was allegedly passed over for promotions in favor of less qualified male colleagues and faced retaliation after raising concerns about product safety and workplace culture.

In 2022, while working on Meta’s virtual reality platform, Horizon Worlds, Stonelake advocated for a “quality pause” before expanding the product to younger audiences. She raised concerns about inadequate parental controls and the potential exposure of children to harmful content. These concerns were reportedly dismissed by the “all-male Horizon product leadership team,” and following her advocacy, Stonelake was excluded from key leadership meetings.

The lawsuit also highlights broader issues within Meta’s corporate culture, alleging that female employees’ voices were undervalued and that differential treatment was openly permitted. Stonelake’s legal action seeks compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and attorney fees. She emphasizes the need for systemic change, stating, “Discrimination in tech isn’t just an ethical issue—it’s anti-innovation, it’s irresponsible, and it causes harm on a scale that only technology companies can achieve.”

This lawsuit comes at a time when Meta is facing increased scrutiny over its workplace practices. In October 2024, a former employee filed a lawsuit alleging that Meta rehired an individual previously dismissed for stalking and sexual harassment, leading to renewed harassment and significant distress.

Meta has not publicly commented on Stonelake’s lawsuit. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the company’s internal policies and its broader reputation in the tech industry.