In a dramatic legal challenge, Stonelake accuses Meta of fostering a hostile work environment, where women were subjected to bias and mistreatment. The lawsuit paints a troubling portrait of a corporate culture where men dominated decision-making, leaving women to fight for recognition and equal treatment. Stonelake’s legal action seeks justice for the emotional harm and career setbacks she claims to have endured during her time at Meta, including the mental health struggles that ultimately led to her departure.
A Career Undermined by Sexism
Stonelake’s career at Meta began in 2008, when she was among the first employees at Facebook and contributed significantly to the company’s growth. Despite her distinguished track record and crucial contributions, including leading marketing efforts for Meta’s Horizon virtual reality platform, Stonelake alleges she faced discrimination and was passed over for promotions in favor of male colleagues with lesser credentials.
In her lawsuit, Stonelake claims that after raising concerns about Horizon’s safety features—specifically about parental controls and racial harassment on the platform—she was excluded from key leadership meetings. These actions, she argues, were retaliation for her outspoken stance on improving the platform’s safety and inclusivity.
Sexual Harassment and Retaliation
The lawsuit also details numerous incidents of sexual harassment during her time at the company, including a shocking assault by a supervisor in 2012. According to the complaint, Stonelake was sexually assaulted by the supervisor during a work trip, an event that left her traumatized and resulted in her reporting the incident to no avail. The lawsuit claims the company did not take action, leaving her vulnerable to further mistreatment.
