Despite her complaints to management and human resources about her treatment, Stonelake alleges that nothing was done to address the pervasive sexism and harassment. As her career advanced, the discrimination continued. She claims that under the supervision of a new male boss in 2016, she faced constant belittlement, higher performance expectations than her male peers, and a pattern of sexist comments that went unaddressed by HR.
The Breaking Point
Stonelake’s mental health began to deteriorate as a result of the ongoing discrimination. In early 2023, she took emergency medical leave due to severe depression and suicidal thoughts. Yet, shortly after returning, Stonelake claims she was informed that she would be laid off, despite her years of dedication to Meta’s success.
Her suit alleges that this final blow was a direct result of the cumulative impact of discrimination, harassment, and retaliatory actions that had marred her career at Meta. Stonelake asserts that her career trajectory has been irreparably damaged by the company’s actions.
A Gender Imbalance in Leadership
Stonelake’s lawsuit highlights a gender disparity within Meta’s Reality Labs division, where, as of late 2022, only four women out of 20 marketing directors and vice presidents were present. By early 2023, Stonelake was one of the three women to leave the organization for medical reasons, with none of the women returning.
