A former Paramount executive, Joseph E. Jerome, has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the company, alleging he was fired due to his race and age. According to the lawsuit, Jerome, a 58-year-old White man, was one of three older White men let go in 2024 and replaced by younger, more diverse employees. The suit claims that Paramount’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives were used to justify the firings, with all attorneys let go in 2024 being White and over 50.
The lawsuit also notes a meeting in 2023 with then-CBS News President Wendy McMahon, who allegedly complained about the older demographics of the shows her division produced and pushed for attracting younger viewers. Jerome’s attorneys cite comments from McMahon, who allegedly criticized him for thinking ‘old’ during a discussion about a potential deal. The case highlights the ongoing debate over DEI policies in media organizations, with similar allegations surfacing in previous cases involving Paramount and CBS.
Paramount declined to comment on the lawsuit, which follows previous incidents where the company was forced to settle discrimination claims over DEI policies. In February, Paramount Global heads informed employees that they would be rolling back DEI initiatives in response to President Donald Trump’s re-election and anti-DEI policies. The rollback included ending the use of ‘aspirational numerical goals’ for hiring and ceasing the collection of race, ethnicity, sex, or gender data from potential applicants unless legally required.
This case is part of a broader trend of legal challenges against media companies over their DEI practices. The lawsuit alleges that Jerome was discriminated against in violation of federal and state law and is seeking statutory and punitive damages. The case also mentions another lawsuit involving former ‘SEAL Team’ script coordinator and writer Brian Beneker, who was denied career advancement due to not ‘checking any diversity boxes.’ This lawsuit was settled in April, indicating the prevalence of similar claims against companies implementing DEI initiatives.
As the legal battles continue, the case raises important questions about the implementation and impact of DEI policies in corporate environments. The suit not only highlights potential discrimination but also underscores the complexities of balancing diversity initiatives with fair employment practices. The outcome of this lawsuit could have implications for similar cases and the ongoing discourse surrounding DEI in the media industry.