US Government Finds Cisco Failed to Protect Muslim, Palestinian Employees

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has determined that Cisco Systems failed to protect its Muslim and Palestinian employees from a hostile work environment following the October 7th attacks and the subsequent war in Gaza. In a June 9th letter, EEOC San Jose district director Margaret Lee stated the company exposed a group of employees to a hostile environment due to their Middle Eastern origin, Muslim faith, or connections to Muslims and Middle Eastern people, violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

This marks the first time the EEOC has found grounds for a large corporation's liability in a case related to pro-Palestinian protests in U.S. workplaces. While not a court ruling, the EEOC's finding could aid employees in potential private lawsuits. The investigation stemmed from complaints filed after October 7th, detailing incidents within Cisco's internal forums. One Jewish employee reportedly urged Muslim colleagues to resign and "stop living," while another allegedly compiled a spreadsheet of employees who signed a letter opposing the company's ties to Israel, threatening to release their names.

Former Cisco lawyer Riham Biligi described experiencing Islamophobia, stating her qualifications were reduced to offensive labels like "terrorist" and "human animal." In 2024, a group called Bridge to Humanity, representing over 1,700 Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim employees, sent an open letter demanding Cisco disclose its business with the Israeli government and military and cease providing them technology. Cisco asked employee resource group leaders not to circulate the letter, later clarifying it needed time to formulate a response.

Cisco has stated it "thoroughly investigated all concerns and took appropriate action," but "disagrees with the findings." The company claims it investigated complaints from both sides and attempted to maintain balance. Jewish employees also claimed Cisco did not protect them from harassment by pro-Palestinian colleagues. Cisco noted that a photo of a manager with employees wearing shirts featuring a map of Israel with the word "Palestine" in Arabic prompted an immediate apology, while the other complaint involved dozens of posts requiring investigation.