Former Google exec sues tech giant for firing him after he rejected the boss’s alleged advances

A former Google executive has claimed he was fired from the tech giant after he rebuffed his boss’s advances when she allegedly groped him at a fancy dinner, prompting her to accuse him of “microaggressions.”

Ryan Olohan, 48, married in New Jersey and the father of seven children, alleges that Tiffany Miller rubbed his abs, told him he had a good body and that their marriage lacked “spice,” according to a report. lawsuit filed in November.

Miller, who is Asian, told Olohan that he knew he liked Asian women, referring to his wife, who is also Asian.

The alleged incident occurred at the Fig & Olive restaurant in Manhattan in December 2019, and Olohan said she reported it to human resources the following week, but the tip never resulted in anything. And that was only the beginning of the bullying.

Olohan claims Miller began retaliating against him by reporting him to human resources for “microaggressions.” He claims the harassment continued until he was finally fired in August 2022 after 16 years with the company.

Google executive Tiffany Miller is accused of rubbing Olohan’s abs, telling him she had a good body and their marriage lacked “seasoning,” according to a lawsuit filed in November.

Olohan had just been promoted to CEO of Food, Beverage and Restaurants and joined a new management team that included Miller, when the alleged incident occurred at the company’s exit.

The New Jersey father said he was initially uncomfortable bringing up the subject because many of his colleagues had been “drinking alcohol to excess.”

When she suggested later that night that Miller might have had “too much” drinking, she was told it was just “Tiffany being Tiffany.”

Olohan reported the incident to Google’s Human Resources department, who “openly admitted that if the complaint were ‘in reverse’ (a woman accusing a white man of harassment), the complaint would undoubtedly escalate,” according to the lawsuit.

There was no discussion or investigation into the incident, and Olohan claimed in the lawsuit that Miller retaliated after filing her complaint with Human Resources.

In two instances mentioned in the lawsuit in which Miller allegedly criticized him and reported him to human resources for “microaggressions,” managers were present.

Google HR business partner Jacky Schiestel agreed that Miller was “being mean” in both cases and that there were no microaggressions by Olohan.

Olohan said Miller’s retaliation and hostility caused him anxiety and made him feel like he was on probation.

Olohan had just been promoted to managing director of food, beverage and restaurant and joined a new management team that included Miller, when the alleged incident occurred at the company’s exit at the Fig & Olive restaurant at 420 W 13th Street in Manhattan.

The New Jersey father said he was initially uncomfortable bringing up the subject because many of his colleagues had been “drinking alcohol to excess.” Pictured: Fig & Olive in Manhattan

When she suggested later that night that Miller might have had “too much” drinking, she was told it was just “Tiffany being Tiffany.”

It continued at a Google-hosted event in December 2021, in which Miller drunkenly berated him in front of numerous Google employees, loudly calling out to Olohan that he “disagreeed with him 70 percent of the time” and ” He didn’t like it 70 percent of the time.” time.’

Miller later apologized to Olohan, admitting that she was “very drunk.”

But “although Google knew that Miller’s continued harassment of Olohan stemmed from her rejection of his sexual advances, it again took no action,” the lawsuit states.

Olohan said she began to feel increasing pressure from her supervisor Adam Stewart, who told her in February 2022 that there were “obviously too many white men” on her management team, according to the lawsuit.

Miller’s alleged retaliation continued and in one incident in April 2022, Olohan claims Miller drunkenly berated him during a company outing at a karaoke bar.

The lawsuit claims Miller taunted him in front of Google employees and reiterated that she knew he preferred Asian women to white ones.

Following his layoff, Olohan joined Klick Group as Executive Vice President of Growth. He also owns an ice cream shop in New Jersey.

Ryan Olahan, former CEO of Food, Beverage and Restaurant at Google, with his wife Anne Lee Olohan and Michelle Obama in a photo posted on September 1, 2022 on his Facebook page.

In June 2022, Schiestel informed Olohan that an employee had complained about him to Human Resources and approximately three weeks later, Olohan informed Schiestel that the complaint had been filed at Miller’s behest in retaliation for refusing his sexual advances. .

In June, Olohan was told to hire only female candidates for the team and in July, he was encouraged to fire a male employee to make room on his team for a woman, the lawsuit claims.

The following month, Google fired Olohan, ending his employment after 16 years with the company.

During a video conference call, Olohan said he was told by Google’s Employee Investigations team that he would be fired because he was not “inclusive.”

Google’s Employee Research team explained that it had shown favoritism toward high-performing employees, whom it viewed as “non-inclusive,” and commented on the pace and busyness of employees, which it viewed as “capable.”

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and names both Google and Miller as defendants accusing them of discrimination, retaliation, and fostering a hostile work environment.

Following his layoff, Olohan joined Klick Group as Executive Vice President of Growth. He also owns an ice cream shop in New Jersey.