In December, BlackBerry appointed its cybersecurity president, John J. Giamatteo, as its new CEO. However, he and the company are now facing a lawsuit from a former executive, who alleges a pattern of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and retaliation. The lawsuit was filed anonymously in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, claiming that BlackBerry knew of these complaints before promoting Giamatteo and firing the plaintiff days before his ascension.
BlackBerry denied the allegations, stating that they conducted an extensive investigation and found no evidence of wrongdoing. They emphasized their commitment to a respectful and productive work environment free from discrimination and harassment. The company and Giamatteo intend to vigorously defend against the claims in court. BlackBerry is set to release its quarterly earnings amid the lawsuit.
Former female employees who worked alongside Giamatteo at BlackBerry shared similar accounts of gender discrimination and mistreatment. They reported instances where their roles were diminished, responsibilities removed, and duties given to male counterparts under Giamatteo’s leadership. These women requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation and described a culture of misogyny similar to the 1980s in the tech industry.
The lawsuit details instances where Giamatteo allegedly made advances towards the plaintiff, including inappropriate comments and behavior. She reported the incidents to then-CEO John Chen, but claimed that Giamatteo retaliated by excluding her from projects and ultimately getting her fired. Similarly, two other women also reported experiencing gender discrimination by Giamatteo during their time at BlackBerry.
BlackBerry’s board of directors reportedly became aware of the sexual harassment claims against Giamatteo and launched an internal investigation conducted by law firm Morrison & Foerster. The investigation included complaints from the plaintiff and two other women. Despite these complaints, Giamatteo was promoted to CEO, with a significant increase in compensation. The fairness and thoroughness of the investigation have been questioned by individuals familiar with the inquiry.
BlackBerry, once a pioneer in technology with its popular “CrackBerry” devices, faced a decline in the smartphone market and shifted focus to software offerings under former CEO John Chen. Giamatteo was brought on to lead the cybersecurity business unit and was later appointed CEO. However, plans to spin out the cybersecurity and IoT divisions have now been scrapped under his leadership. The lawsuit against him and the company adds another layer of controversy to BlackBerry’s recent history.
