The California-based Monster Beverage Corporation is facing a barrage of lawsuits from women who claim that executives at the energy drink maker harass and abuse female workers. The women say that they were routinely exposed to discrimination in the workplace and faced retaliatory action when they spoke up. One of the company’s vice presidents is named in the filings. He is accused of using inflammatory language about women and gossiping about the sex lives of female employees.
The litigation also mentions many instances where women were allegedly reprimanded or fired after complaining about the way they were being treated by male Monster Energy executives. One woman says that she was assured that her concerns would remain private only to have them shared with the vice president involved. Another of the plaintiffs claims that she was put on performance review and subsequently terminated after speaking up about inappropriate touching and language.
The company is also accused of paying female employees less than their male colleagues and denying them stock options. The energy drink maker has denied any wrongdoing and branded the plaintiffs as disgruntled employees who are looking for money. In a lengthy statement, the company claims that the lawsuits are unrelated and accuses the woman of litigating their cases in the press.
This kind of litigation often attracts a great deal of media attention, and attorneys with experience in this area may point this out to companies accused of discrimination and sexual harassment during settlement discussions. Attorneys could also remind the defendants in this type of lawsuit of the sanctions they could face under California and federal law for retaliating against workers who step forward.
Source: Fox News, “Monster Energy sued by five women, alleging a culture of sexual harassment and abuse”, Michelle Gant, Jan. 25, 2018