Netflix sued by ex-labour relations exec for discrimination and harassment
Netflix is facing serious allegations from a former senior employee. A former senior Labour Nhu-y Phan lawyer has filed a lawsuit against the company, accusing it of racial discrimination, sexual harassment, and wrongful termination.
The plaintiff, Phan, was hired by the streamer in 2021 at an annual salary of $400,000. She had previously worked with the Directors Guild of America and IATSE Local 600, bringing years of labour negotiation experience to the table. Three years later, she alleges she was pushed out of the company after raising multiple concerns. She was particularly concerned about how women of colour were treated.
According to the lawsuit filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Phan claims she was repeatedly overlooked in favour of white male colleagues, especially for opportunities and assignments. When she voiced her concerns, she says they were dismissed or ignored. The complaint paints a picture of a toxic work environment, especially for women of colour.
According to Variety, one of the central claims involves Phan’s supervisor, Ted Sinclair, whom she accused of subjecting her to “microaggressions and micromanagement”. Despite flagging these issues to Netflix’s HR department, she says no meaningful action was taken. Instead of being protected or heard, Phan was allegedly excluded from key assignments, such as the DGA negotiation committee. Apparently, she was uniquely qualified for this role, having previously worked closely with the DGA and its top leadership.
She eventually requested a new supervisor, and while that change was granted, she claims Sinclair still found ways to sideline her. In a follow-up complaint to HR, she wrote that watching white employees receive high-profile assignments over her “does not feel inclusive”, further stating that Sinclair had failed to uphold Netflix’s much-advertised core value of inclusion.
Ironically, she says, he was later promoted.
Phan then raised another red flag. This time alleging that her new supervisor had sexually harassed a colleague by repeatedly inviting her out to meals and drinks at expensive restaurants like Nobu. Again, her concern was noted but seemingly went nowhere.
By mid-2024, Phan received what the lawsuit describes as a vague “360 feedback report” telling her to work on her communication. Then, just months later, amid a department reshuffle, she was terminated, officially for “performance issues”.
Her lawsuit calls this justification weak, retaliatory, and deeply damaging. It states, “Once a highly compensated professional with a sterling reputation, Ms Phan faces an uphill battle finding comparable employment. The stress and humiliation of her termination, loss of income and damaged reputation have been profound.”
Netflix, in response, issued a brief statement saying, “These claims lack merit, and we intend to defend this matter vigorously.”
While the case is still unfolding, it sheds light on the gap between a company’s public values and internal realities. Netflix has often positioned itself as a progressive and inclusive employer. However, Phan’s experience raises difficult questions about what that looks like behind closed doors, especially for women of colour in high-stakes executive roles.