Pokémon Go developer Niantic created a ‘sexist boys club’ environment, new lawsuit says
polygon.comA former employee at Pokémon Go creator Niantic is suing the company for alleged gender discrimination and sexism that “systemically devalue[s]” the work of women — especially women of color. The lawsuit, first reported by The Verge, is seeking class action status to include other people impacted by what it calls Niantic’s “boys club.”
The former employee is identified as Jane Doe, an Asian woman who worked for the company from 2020 until last week when Niantic laid off 230 people and stopped production and support on several games, including NBA All-World and Marvel: World of Heroes. Doe alleged that other women at the company are discriminated against when it comes to pay, advancement, and value, but also that Niantic leadership is hostile toward people who bring up these issues.
When Doe was hired at the company in 2020, she earned $70,000 before getting a promotion and raise in 2021 — up to $84,000. That year, she learned that a male colleague, “an apprentice,” was hired at a higher wage despite her having “more tenure as an employee, more responsibilities, and a higher job title.” The male colleague continued to earn a higher salary into 2022, being paid more than $20,000 higher than her despite her still having a higher title. In 2023, Doe saw a job posting for her same position listed, again, at a pay band higher than her salary; she confirmed with another male colleague in the same role that he was paid within the band.
When Doe brought these issues up to Niantic’s diversity and inclusion leadership, she left the meeting “in fear of losing her job,” she alleged, after being told her evaluation at Niantic had been — and would continue to be — impacted by speaking up about workplace issues. Niantic continued to
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