A former Meta employee, James Napoli, has filed a lawsuit against the tech giant, alleging that the company violated New York City’s human rights law and acted negligently by rehiring an individual, “G.F.”, who had previously stalked and harassed him. Napoli claims that after reporting G.F.’s actions and being assured G.F. would not be rehired, Meta’s cost-cutting measures and subsequent restructuring of its talent and recruitment department led to G.F.’s reinstatement, putting Napoli in a position of continued fear and harassment. The ensuing events highlight concerns about workplace safety, the impact of layoffs on crucial departments like HR, and Meta’s responsibility to protect its employees from such threats.
Key Takeaways
- Shocking Rehiring: A former Meta employee, James Napoli, alleges that Meta rehired an individual (“G.F.”) who had previously stalked and harassed him, despite Napoli’s prior reports and assurances from HR that G.F. would be placed on a “Do Not Hire” list.
- Cost-Cutting Consequences: The lawsuit suggests that Meta’s massive layoffs and restructuring, which significantly reduced its HR and recruiting teams, contributed to the oversight that allowed G.F.’s rehiring.
- Allegations of Retaliation: Napoli claims that after reporting G.F.’s rehiring, he faced retaliation from Meta, being removed from key projects and having his responsibilities diminished.
- Workplace Safety Concerns: The case raises serious questions about workplace safety and Meta’s responsibility in protecting its employees from harassment and stalking.
- Legal Ramifications: The lawsuit, filed in New York Supreme Court, alleges violations of New York City’s human rights law and negligence, seeking unspecified damages and injunctive relief to prevent G.F.’s future employment at Meta.
The Stalker’s Actions and Initial Reporting
The lawsuit details a disturbing pattern of stalking and harassment perpetrated by “G.F.” against James Napoli. Initially, G.F., a former colleague of Napoli’s within Meta’s marketing team, reached out to Napoli after being laid off in November 2022. What began as a seemingly innocuous request for coffee quickly escalated into a campaign of harassment. G.F.’s behavior included sending Napoli numerous unsettling messages daily, contacting his family members, and referencing Napoli’s partner, friends, and even his dog. One particularly alarming message, according to the complaint, read: “I am being mind tortured with an A.I tech which I don’t know where it’s coming from and I am feeling like my love for you is being used for experiences I didn’t agree for, while I am being told by spirits that you and I are the two messengers.”
Escalation and Police Involvement
G.F.’s harassment intensified, culminating in him personally delivering disturbing writings and drawings to Napoli’s apartment, forcing him and his partner to relocate. Napoli reported the incidents to the police, but obtaining a restraining order proved difficult due to limitations in New York state law regarding orders of protection. The relentless nature of the harassment left Napoli feeling “like I was drowning,” he stated in an interview with CNBC. The constant fear for his safety and the well-being of his loved ones significantly impacted his personal and professional life.
Meta’s Response and the Rehiring
Napoli repeatedly alerted Meta’s HR department to the escalating situation, receiving assurances that G.F. was on a “Do Not Hire” list and a “No Entry” list preventing him from accessing company facilities. However, despite these supposed safeguards, G.F. was rehired in a contractor role. Napoli discovered G.F.’s return via Meta’s internal messaging system, Workplace, when he received a message from G.F. stating he’d been rehired and would be present at upcoming meetings and events. This revelation, after being explicitly assured of G.F.’s exclusion, proved deeply distressing for Napoli and highlights potential failures within Meta’s internal processes.
Second Termination and Allegations of Retaliation
Following the discovery of G.F.’s rehiring, Meta again terminated G.F.’s employment. However, the lawsuit alleges that the harassment didn’t cease; instead, it intensified. Napoli further claims that Meta retaliated against him for reporting these incidents, asserting, he was removed from leading a significant AI marketing project and experienced a reduction in responsibilities.
The Larger Context: Layoffs, Restructuring, and Workplace Safety
The lawsuit contextualizes the rehiring within Meta’s broader restructuring and cost-cutting initiatives. In March 2023, Meta announced a significant reduction in its workforce, impacting various departments, including talent acquisition and HR. The lawsuit contends that these layoffs directly contributed to the lapse in oversight that allowed G.F. to be rehired, arguing that the reduced staffing levels hampered the company’s ability to effectively screen applicants and identify red flags. This highlights a crucial concern: the potential negative impacts of aggressive cost-cutting measures on critical departments responsible for employee safety and well-being.
Meta’s Previous Incidents and Public Image
This isn’t the first time Meta has faced allegations concerning employee misconduct and the company’s response. In 2018, Meta fired a security engineer for allegedly using internal data to stalk women online. This previous incident, coupled with the allegations in Napoli’s lawsuit, raises broader questions about Meta’s internal procedures for handling such cases and its commitment to fostering a safe and respectful workplace environment for all employees. The lawsuit emphasizes the irony of Meta’s public assertions about its ability to protect user data while seemingly failing to protect its own employees from serious threats. The statement in the lawsuit reads: “Meta’s employment practices are apparently so chaotic, reckless, and ineffectual that the company fails to keep track of the most fundamental data point in its workplace – the dangerous people who pose a severe risk to Meta’s own employees.”
Legal Action and Napoli’s Goals
Napoli’s lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and injunctive relief preventing G.F.’s future employment at Meta and any further retaliatory actions against Napoli. Napoli isn’t just seeking personal redress; he also aims to instigate meaningful reform within Meta to prevent similar incidents from occurring. He said in the interview: “Everybody deserves a safe workplace.” His experience represents a significant challenge to Meta’s reputation and raises serious concerns about the company’s internal processes, its commitment to employee safety and well-being, and the potential consequences of unchecked cost-cutting measures. As of the publication of this report, Meta has not publicly responded to the lawsuit.
