Fox News have again been making headlines for the wrong reasons this week as a slew of current and ex-employees have raised a lawsuit against them, alleging that their bosses forced black employees to arm-wrestle white colleagues for entertainment.
New York Magazine cite a letter sent to the network, on behalf of former staff, which outlines allegations of black female arm-wrestling matches being set up within the accounting department. Accounting Director Tammy Efinger is accused of setting up one such incident because she wanted to “fight” a black employee.
Writing on behalf of the employees who are raising a lawsuit, their lawyer said: “Forcing a black woman employee to ‘fight’ for the amusement and pleasure of her white superiors is horrifying. “This highly offensive and humiliating act is reminiscent of Jim Crow-era battle royals.”
Last month, two other black female employees sued the network claiming they were racially discriminated against. Alleged racial comments, including accusations of ongoing harassment from Comptroller Judith Slater, included: all black men are “women beaters” who want to harm white people. Fox has yet to comment on the matter.
The news network has also attracted criticism for O’Reilly’s rumoured payoff, an amount that CNN reported to be in the “tens of millions” – a sum many consider to be distasteful considering the nature of his dismissal. O’Reilly’s expulsion follows that of ex-Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes, who resigned last year amid allegations of sexual harassment. Gretchen Carlson, a former Fox News Anchor, raised a lawsuit against the ex-CEO, describing unwanted sexual advances and a sabotaging of her career when she turned Ailes down.
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