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Rivian executives accused of harassment in previously unreported lawsuits
- Automaker Rivian and its top executives are involved in multiple harassment lawsuits by employees who cited inaction by leadership in handling their complaints.
- Four Rivian workers filed lawsuits over harassment and discrimination and three similar cases have been settled under confidentiality agreements.
- Two cases filed in Orange County court by former employees center around chief designer Jeff Hammoud, who allegedly created a hostile work environment.
- One lawsuit alleges Hammoud erratically directed anger towards women in leadership, while the other claims he labeled an employee’s wife “a hooker” and failed to face consequences.
- A third case, filed by line worker Jeremiah Powe in federal court, alleges former COO Frank Klein of assault and battery, following dress code violations.
- One of the harassment cases is currently being settled by production worker Nicole Hawkins, who claims she was physically harassed and threatened by a co-worker at the carmaker's Illinois factory.
- Laura Schwab, who was previously Rivian's head of sales and marketing, sued the firm over allegations of sexual discrimination and wrongful termination in 2021.
- Schwab's lawsuit was settled with Rivian six months later, while Natasha Hill and Angela Betancourt brought legal action against the carmaker and subsequently reached undisclosed settlements.
- A Rivian representative said the company was committed to providing an outstanding workplace that is free of harassment, discrimination and retaliation.
- Rivian's lawsuit settlement following previous harassment accusations seems to indicate inadequate improvements in their corporate culture, according to one of the workers’ lawyer.
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