Former TikTok Employee Alleges She Was Fired After Reporting Sexual Harassment: Report

She further alleges that the social media platform declined to approve her request for leave to address medical conditions arising from the stress and pressure of her job

A former high-ranking marketing executive at TikTok reportedly filed a lawsuit against the social media company and its China-based parent firm, ByteDance, on Thursday. She alleges that she was forced out of her position following her complaints about discrimination based on sex, age, and disability. In a complaint filed in Manhattan federal court, Katie Puris alleged that her termination in 2022 was the result of several incidents where she reported bias, and in one instance, sexual harassment, to supervisors and human resources, reported the news agency Reuters.

Puris, who was close to the age of 50 at the time of her termination, alleges that she faced derogatory remarks regarding her age. She also claims that ByteDance chairman Zhang Lidong held the belief that Women “should remain quiet and humble at all times" and preferred "docility and meekness" in female employees, states the report.

She further alleges that the social media platform declined to approve her request for leave to address medical conditions arising from the stress and pressure of her job. TikTok and ByteDance did not immediately respond to requests for comment, states the report.

Marjorie Mesidor and Monica Hincken, lawyers representing Puris, stated in a joint statement that despite Puris being "enormously successful" in her role at the firm, she faced immediate retaliation for raising concerns about the discrimination she was facing. "TikTok's actions against Ms Puris are illegal, and we look forward to vindicating her rights," they said.

According to her complaint, Puris has previously worked for Alphabet's Google, Meta's Facebook, and prominent advertising agencies. The lawsuit alleges that TikTok and ByteDance violated US and New York state and city laws that prohibit workplace discrimination and retaliation. Puris is seeking unspecified damages for economic losses, pain and suffering, and damage to her reputation and career, as per the report.