Tinder Suspends Co-Founder In Wake Of Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

http://techcrunch.com/2014/06/30/tinder-suspends-co-founder-in-wake-of-sexual-harassment-lawsuit/

by doppp • 12 years ago

82 85 12 years ago

techcrunch.com

minimaxir• 12 years ago

I recommend taking a look at the original complaint for even more context, especially with the exhibits.

http://www.rezlaw.com/News-Events/06-30-14_Complaint_with_Ex...

stef25• 12 years ago

Weird you can build a court case of out of basically people insulting each other.

rosser• 12 years ago

This is so far beyond "people insulting each other". The alleged behavior is reprehensible, illegal, and absolutely actionable.

pwny3• 12 years ago

Thanks for the link. The exhibits really paint an appalling portrait of the guy. He's acting like an insecure 14 year old.

I don't want to downplay the situation but I feel like it's your responsibility as an adult to disengage from situations like this faster than she did. Hindsight is 20/20 I guess but the whole situation seems to have been really mishandled (and that's a feeling I'm getting from a court complaint from her side). Again, I'm not saying she asked for it or anything, just that pursuing an ongoing relationship might not have been the best idea.

In any case, that seems to be a terrible working environment. I also find it kind of ironic that the co-founders of an inherently social app like Tinder appear so poor at handling interpersonal/romantic relationships.

davedx• 12 years ago

I don't want to downplay the situation but I feel like it's your responsibility

Article about sexual harassment on HN. Came to comments expected victim blaming, 2nd sentence in 2nd comment.

Well done.

SandB0x• 12 years ago

I also find it kind of ironic that the co-founders of an inherently social app like Tinder appear so poor at handling interpersonal/romantic relationships.

Maybe it's not so surprising if your idea of human interaction is based on a binarized version of hotornot.com

yzzxy• 12 years ago

From what I understand of Tinder, it intrinsically plans on user's social insecurities in dating and other social media by removing risk from the situation.

mootothemax4• 12 years ago

I don't want to downplay the situation but I feel like it's your responsibility as an adult to disengage from situations like this faster than she did. Hindsight is 20/20 I guess

Honestly, I don't think it's that simple; some people are so insecure, you can run away to a different country and they'll still find a way to spoil your day with their obsessiveness.

Would this have ended differently if she'd not pursued things after a couple of months, a month, a week?

I'm not convinced; all it takes is for the person on the other end to be even a tiny bit obsessive, and it's game over.

What might have helped is someone taking the guy aside and saying, "Mate, come on, you're taking this too far. I know you want to stay in touch, and that you still kinda like the girl. That's not healthy for you, though. You need to be the bigger person[1], and you need to move on."

[1] A minor bit of ego stroking can help

I genuinely believe that oftentimes, people don't realise that they're being scarily obsessive, and a trusted friend holding up a mirror can do wonders.

kevingadd• 12 years ago

'disengage from situations like this' is a rather casual and insulting way to depict the idea of bailing out on founder/co-founder status on a startup you care about just because one of your cofounders turned out to be a piece of shit.

Arguably her course of action was the correct one. She tried to resolve things quietly by being an adult, and tolerated a little bit of abuse in the hopes that the job could keep working and the startup wouldn't be undermined - obviously she cared about it.

When it became clear that this shit wasn't going to stop, she resigned, and sued them. The best hope for Tinder as a company at this point is for the problematic founder(s) to be ejected so the company can be run by actual adults. For her to just roll over and quit would be unacceptable - they'd get to continue their abuse on other employees - and for her to just sit there and take it would also be unacceptable.

9oliYQjP• 12 years ago

It looks like somebody put an iPhone on a photocopier to take screenshots. Is that what happened? Is there a legal reason why this was done versus using the home button/power button combo?

rtpg• 12 years ago

just being unaware of the screenshot capabilities of the iphone probably? It's probably a lot easier in terms of workflow too

jzwinck• 12 years ago

It may well have been taken using the usual screenshot mechanism, but legal documents often end up in printed form, passed around and photocopied. People working on the case may not have the original image files, only paper copies or (gasp) scans of the same.

You'd be amazed how much stuff is printed out and trucked around for lawsuits.

amirmc2• 12 years ago

Some of these are definitely screenshots as they have the ellipses to indicate the other party is typing. It seems like these are scans of printed images in some cases.

rlu2• 12 years ago

Wow. The whole co-founder thing is pretty disgusting.

"he said that holding her out as a co-founder “makes the company look like a joke” and “devalues the company.” Mr. Mateen tried to justify the situation by saying “Facebook and Snapchat don’t have girl founders, it just makes it look like Tinder was some accident.”

There are so many things wrong with that, especially given that Tinder exists because she was the one pushing for it over the Cardify thing. (assuming that's true).

Sean Rad may not have called her names and been as over the top and insane as Justin Mateen, but he is very much in the wrong as well.

From the sound of it, Mr. Mateen didn't even earn his spot in the company. He was just "long time friends" with the CEO and so got a job as Whitney's boss. And then she is the one that gets shafted? I would be so upset.

kmfrk• 12 years ago

Seriously, just skim it; it's not boring legalese:

1. The founders of a red-hot technology startup named Tinder engaged in atrocious sexual harassment and sex discrimination against Whitney Wolfe, the young woman who co- founded Tinder and was the face of Tinder in magazines and in Tinder’s efforts to market the company to other young women. Tinder’s Chief Marketing Officer Justin Mateen repeatedly called Ms. Wolfe a “whore,” including in front of CEO Sean Rad, and he told Ms. Wolfe that he was taking away her “Co-Founder” title because having a young female co-founder “makes the company seem like a joke” and “devalues” the company.
2. Mr. Mateen and Mr. Rad subjected Ms. Wolfe to a barrage of horrendously sexist, racist, and otherwise inappropriate comments, emails and text messages, including describing one person as a “liberal lying desperate slut” and others as “middle age Muslim pigs” and referring, for example, to “fucking” the wife of a prominent blogger, and a text depicting IAC Chairman Barry Diller as a penis. Although it is tempting to describe the conduct of Tinder’s senior executives as “frat-like,” it was in fact much worse- representing the worst of the misogynist, alpha-male stereotype too often associated with technology startups.
3. Although Ms. Wolfe repeatedly complained to CEO Rad, he ignored her complaints, dismissing her as “annoying” and “dramatic,” and threatened her job. Ms. Wolfe finally broke down the night that Mr. Mateen called her a “whore” at a company event, and she offered to resign in consideration for modest severance and the vesting of her stock. Mr. Rad snidely rejected the offer and fired her.

facepalm11• 12 years ago

Let's lock up all people who make penis jokes. The world has had enough of this shit. Let's outlaw fraternities, too. In fact men shouldn't be allowed to reveal their gender in public.

styles• 12 years ago

What an idiot.

zak_mc_kracken• 12 years ago

From the documents:

As Ms. Wolfe began to head toward the exit, she was accosted by Mr. Rad’s guest at the party who spat in her face.

Johnie• 12 years ago

As all the corporate training says: "Don't put into writing what you don't want to see on the cover of the WSJ."

This is a pure example of what happens when you do not listen to that adage.

zacharycohn• 12 years ago

I kind of doubt any of these people have ever worked in a place big enough to have "corporate training."

ninavizz5• 12 years ago

"Big enough for corporate training" is the golden ticket. No company should have to be big enough, for training to be available. Yes, I am actively changing that... stay tuned.

Steko• 12 years ago

Corporate training or not, everyone's heard Mr. Rogers famous adage about not being a piece of shit scumbag. Words to that effect anyway.

MartinCron• 12 years ago

That advice shouldn't be "corporate training", it's exactly what I tell my children.

harmegido• 12 years ago

From reading the texts, I've decided that none of these people know how to type. And I can't understand someone that high profile not realizing that these things are going to come to light at some point.

tlrobinson• 12 years ago

I immediately lose all respect for anyone who can't be bothered to type out "you" instead of "u", especially anyone over the age of ~21, and especially in professional contexts.

Of course these idiots also apparently have no concept of "professional contexts".

enraged_camel6• 12 years ago

I'm really glad that lawsuits like this are becoming more common, or at least more publicized. I see it as a sign that people are becoming better at recognizing inappropriate workplace behavior and finding the courage to litigate over it. It sets the right example for others who are in similar situations.

arfliw2• 12 years ago

You can tell from the beginning of those texts that she was planning this all along, or at the very least - preparing for it. She uses legal language throughout and says little else: 'stop threatening me' 'this is harassment' 'you are effecting my working environment' etc etc.

jacquesgt• 12 years ago

Slimy is telling a woman she can't be called a cofounder because "she's a girl". Slimy is threatening to fire a subordinate if they won't date you. Slimy is ignoring complaints from an employee about sexual harassment. Slimy is firing someone for trying to exercise their rights to not be harassed.

Using clear language to communicate boundaries isn't slimy at all. It's reprehensible that she (allegedly for the pedants in the crowd) even had to say those things. Building a case when no one does anything about a pattern of continued discrimination and harassment it's slimy at all; it's exercising your basic human and legal rights.

What was the alternative? Not documenting the abuse so that it could get dismissed as a he said/she said argument? Deciding between putting up with the abuse or throwing away all the hard work she put into the company?

Apparently her options were to be slimy by documenting her case, or to get dismissed as a bitter woman who was blowing things out of proportion because she got dumped. Nice.

arfliw2• 12 years ago

Apologies, I edited my answer (in response to heavy downvotes) before I saw your reply.

Calling her actions slimy was probably out of line.

amirmc2• 12 years ago

Right. Because when someone replies to one of your texts with "Stop harassing me" for whatever reason, you simply continue as you are.

Here's a tip for everyone. If one party in the conversation begins using words like 'harassment' with respect to your behaviour, then back the fuck off (whether you believe you're in the clear or not). You are a complete moron if you continue to engage the same way.

memorex55• 12 years ago

I used to know this girl (Whitney). I knew her for many years, and I have to say that she was probably baiting them at the very least. The guy is clearly slimy and should lose his job, and of course, people change... but over a year ago, another friend and I predicted that something very similar to this would happen. She has played this role in the past.

ninavizz5• 12 years ago

She's a WOMAN, not a girl. Sorry—no intent in being PC, but as a female in the biz, it's just profoundly abrasive to read "girl" all over the place.

In a social context, a woman cam be a "girl." In business, she's a woman. Always. Period. This is a business matter, where personal stuff got inappropriately smeared-in to the business, which is the premise of the lawsuit.

Guys: We don't call you boys at work. Woman, please please please.

dang• 12 years ago

Banned as a troll.

jsmeaton• 12 years ago

All the things she said sound like they are true though. After only reading the texts she did exactly the right thing. She told the guy what he was doing was wrong. She let him know that it was really bad for her work. He kept going! How is that bait? She gave him all the information he needed to stop and he didn't. Throwing in a few of those 'legal' words should have pulled him right up, but he just threatened her. He's an idiot.

ASneakyFox2• 12 years ago

The whole thing sounds like an episode of some reality tv show with teenagers. Both of them should be feeling embarassed about themselves.

davidu2• 12 years ago

I hope by both of them you mean the CMO and CEO.

This woman has nothing to be embarrassed about, although I'm sure she is. Going public must have been a terrifyingly difficult thing to do. It certainly would have been for me.

ASneakyFox2• 12 years ago

They were dating and they broke up. This is all a teenager break up story. Just they have the money and publicity to tell the whole world about it.

Hes still guilty of harassment. But I'm sure if more records were released We would see a lot that makes her look bad and probably guilty of similiar crimes if not the same ones.

This is why no established company allows dating in the work place. Break up arguments are now workplace harassment charges.

davidu2• 12 years ago

People saying "she planned this" or that "she writes all legal-y" don't understand how this works.

Consider that this is only a tiny snapshot of the entire (horrible) ordeal, selected by her lawyers to reflect the egregious components of their behavior, placed in contrast to her requests to cease. Of course they include the ones where she says stop, and the aggressor(s) persist.

There could be, and likely is, far worse interactions, where she didn't say stop, that they didn't include in their exhibits. They will come to light later if this suit progresses.

There are also probably texts that make her look bad, too. Where she lets it go, or even plays along. Maybe she was too tired that day to argue. Maybe she hoped it would stop if she answered questions. Who knows? I don't.

But that doesn't make her guilty of any wrongdoing, or absolve them of their erroneous ways. People have a right to work in a harassment-free workplace, and employers have a duty to ensure it operates that way. That's all that will matter at the end of this.

And from what's included in the suit, my quick read is that they are in a very bad spot, both ethically and legally. Sean Rad seems like a woefully and perilously unqualified CEO.

facepalm11• 12 years ago

"horrible ordeal" - I'm sorry, but if you dislike your workplace, you can always quit. That's not to justify sexual harassment, but the picture you evoke of a "horrible ordeal" just seems next to impossible. An ordeal would have to go on for quite a while, and then the question really is why don't you quit.

threeseed• 12 years ago

Sorry but have you actually worked before because it's never that black/white.

You may love/hate any combination of work, boss, people, culture, location, pay, politics, perks, title etc. Maybe it was the perfect job except for the sexual harassment. In which case just quitting isn't so simple.

chaostheory2• 12 years ago

then the question really is why don't you quit.

Maybe her options didn't vest yet? Things aren't always simple.

halloprow5• 12 years ago

It was that much of a horrible ordeal that she dated the guy, got back with him, etc etc.

It's like some messed up teenage reality TV show.

peterwwillis2• 12 years ago

I'm sorry, but if you dislike your workplace, you can always quit

sounds a lot like

"I'm sorry, but if you don't like racism, you can always move out of the south"

DanBC4• 12 years ago

Imagine for a moment that she had quit.

Do you think that lets Tinder off the hook? She can still take legal action - an environment so horrible that a person feels the only option is to quit means "constructive dismissal" becomes a legal option.

enraged_camel6• 12 years ago

I've been following your comments on HN for a while now -- I originally noticed that almost all of them are facepalm-worthy -- and you sound like a really angry, bitter person who hates women. So, let me ask out of genuine curiosity: do you get a kick out of continuously posting nonsense? Some sort of adrenaline rush maybe?

facepalm11• 12 years ago

"The suit also describes the romantic relationship that Mateen pursued with Wolfe"

Taking revenge 101...

pskittle• 12 years ago

It's surprising the CEO of match said "it doesn't bother me I can sleep at night"

itazula• 12 years ago

As the saying goes, "Kids playing house."

Tinder Suspends Co-Founder In Wake Of Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

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