The lawsuit against BlackBerry and its CEO John J. Giamatteo alleges a pattern of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and retaliation within the company, which BlackBerry allegedly knew about before promoting Giamatteo to the role of CEO. The lawsuit, filed anonymously in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, details multiple complaints made against Giamatteo and claims that BlackBerry failed to handle them appropriately.
BlackBerry spokesperson Camilla Scassellati Sforzolini stated that the company is committed to maintaining a respectful work environment free from discrimination and harassment and conducted an extensive investigation into the allegations, which found no evidence of wrongdoing. BlackBerry intends to vigorously defend against the lawsuit in court. Giamatteo, who joined BlackBerry in 2021, has denied the allegations against him.
Several women who previously worked for BlackBerry alongside Giamatteo shared similar accounts of gender discrimination and mistreatment by the now-CEO. They claim that female executives had their roles diminished, responsibilities taken away, and faced discrimination under Giamatteo’s leadership. The women also allege that a previous internal investigation into Giamatteo’s conduct was launched while he was being considered for the CEO position.
Despite these complaints, Giamatteo was ultimately promoted to the role of CEO, with a total compensation package of $700,000 and $6 million in stock. The lawsuit alleges that Giamatteo was shielded from consequences and rewarded with the promotion, despite the allegations against him. The internal investigation conducted by Morrison & Foerster, retained by BlackBerry’s board of directors, was criticized as perfunctory and lacking follow-up with the women interviewed.
BlackBerry, a once prominent technology company known for its “CrackBerry” smartphones, faced significant challenges in the smartphone market and shifted its focus to enterprise software and cybersecurity under previous CEO John Chen. The company’s attempts to pivot and regain market share have been impacted by the allegations against Giamatteo and the handling of internal complaints. The lawsuit raises concerns about accountability within the company’s leadership and the treatment of women in the workplace.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by women in the tech industry and the importance of addressing issues of harassment and discrimination in the workplace. As BlackBerry faces legal action and public scrutiny, the outcome of the lawsuit may have implications for the company’s reputation and future direction. The allegations against Giamatteo and BlackBerry underscore the need for companies to have robust policies in place to address and prevent workplace harassment and discrimination.
