US AGENCY PROBES FACEBOOK FOR ‘SYSTEMIC’ RACIAL BIAS IN HIRING, PROMOTION

SAN FRANCISCO: A US agency investigating Facebook for racial bias in hiring and promotions has designated the probe as “systemic,” attorneys for three job applicants and a manager who claim the company discriminated against them told Reuters on Friday.

A “systemic” probe means the agency, the equal employment opportunity commission (EEOC), suspects company policies may be contributing to widespread discrimination.

The EEOC typically resolves disputes through mediation or allowing complainants to sue employers. But agency officials designate a few cases “systemic,” enabling investigators to rope in specialists to analyse company data and potentially bring a broader lawsuit representing entire classes of workers.

Facebook operations programme manager Oscar Veneszee Jr. and two applicants denied jobs brought a charge last July to the EEOC, and a third rejected applicant joined the case in December. They have alleged Facebook discriminates against Black candidates and employees by relying on subjective evaluations and promoting problematic racial stereotypes.

The designation of the EEOC’S probe has not been previously reported.the EEOC has not brought allegations against Facebook. Its investigation, which may last months more, may not result in findings of wrongdoing.

Facebook spokesman Andy Stone declined to comment

A SYSTEMIC PROBE MEANS THE AGENCY SUSPECTS COMPANY POLICIES MAY BE CONTRIBUTING TO WIDESPREAD DISCRIMINATION