Meta has found itself embroiled in a legal battle over allegations of rehiring a former employee who had been placed on a “Do Not Hire” list due to serious stalking accusations.
James Napoli, a current Meta employee, filed a lawsuit against the tech giant after the company allegedly rehired an individual who had stalked and harassed him for over a year. This was despite assurances from Meta’s HR department that this person would not be rehired.
The Stalking Incident and Legal Battle
The case involves a person referred to as “G.F.” in the lawsuit. He had been part of Meta’s marketing team before being laid off during the company’s major restructuring in November 2022.
Napoli claims that after G.F. lost his job, he started harassing him with increasingly disturbing messages. They often referenced personal details about Napoli’s life, family, and even his dog.
Napoli reported the situation to Meta’s HR and police, but the harassment persisted.
In 2023, Napoli was assured G.F. was on Meta’s “Do Not Hire” and “No Entry” lists. These are designed to ensure that dangerous individuals could not re-enter the workplace.
However, to Napoli’s shock, he discovered G.F. had been rehired by Meta as a contractor.
This discovery came after G.F. contacted Napoli through Meta’s internal messaging system. G.F told him he would be back in meetings and events.
HR Fumbles and Company Restructuring
Meta has undergone massive layoffs in recent years. It has cut 21,000 jobs as part of a strategic cost-cutting initiative under CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
As part of this move, the company reduced its recruiting team, relying more on external contractors.
Napoli’s attorneys argue the downsized HR department, along with a chaotic recruitment process, allowed G.F. to be mistakenly rehired.
The lawsuit claims Meta’s employment practices are reckless and negligent. It suggests the company is not keeping track of vital data, such as past employees who have posed a threat to workplace safety.
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Employee Retaliation Allegations
The lawsuit not only targets Meta’s rehiring practices but also alleges retaliation.
After Napoli raised concerns about G.F.’s return, he claims he was sidelined in his role, losing leadership opportunities in key projects.
Napoli had been leading Meta’s marketing push for artificial intelligence. The lawsuit claims, following his complaints, his responsibilities were reduced, leaving him with minimal work.
In his lawsuit, Napoli is seeking damages and is asking the court to prohibit G.F. from ever being rehired at Meta.
He also seeks a judgment that would prevent Meta from engaging in future discriminatory or retaliatory actions against him.
Meta’s History with Similar Allegations
This isn’t the first time Meta has faced issues involving employee misconduct.
In 2018, the company fired a security engineer who allegedly used internal data to stalk women online.
Meta has taken steps to prevent similar incidents, including the implementation of policies banning the use of internal tools for inappropriate purpose. This case highlights the ongoing challenges the company faces in managing workplace safety.
Future Outlook and Workplace Safety Concerns
The lawsuit brings to light serious questions about Meta’s internal processes and its ability to ensure workplace safety in a rapidly evolving corporate environment.
With massive layoffs and the restructuring of essential departments, it appears Meta’s ability to manage its workforce has been compromised, leaving gaps in critical areas like HR and recruitment.
For Napoli, the ordeal has been traumatic. In his words:
“I trusted that my employer would keep me safe”
The experience has left him feeling unsafe at work.
As he navigates this legal battle, Napoli hopes that his case will bring about reforms within Meta to prevent similar incidents from happening to others.
