Uber puts Asian diversity chief on leave after employees complained about ‘Don’t Call Me Karen’ sessions designed to explore ‘American white women’s experience’
- Bo Young Lee was furloughed after complaints from black and Hispanic employees at Uber
- They said they felt like they were being “called names” and that they were being lectured during the session
Uber has sent its Asian diversity and inclusion officer on leave after employees complained about a “don’t call me Karen” session it hosted that was designed to explore the “American white woman’s experience.”
Bo Young Lee was hired by Uber in 2018 as Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer.
She is now on leave after employees – including some involved in a “Black at Uber” organization – complained about the sessions.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has sent Bo Young Lee on leave after black and Hispanic employees complained about the ‘Don’t Call Me Karen’ sessions
The sessions, titled Moving Forward: Don’t Call Me Karen, were designed to give white women who work at Uber the opportunity to share their perspectives
The sessions, titled Moving Forward: Don’t Call Me Karen, were designed to give white women who work at Uber the opportunity to share their perspectives.
“We’ll dive into the spectrum of the American white woman’s experience of some of our female colleagues, particularly how they navigate the Karen personality,” read an invite to the event.
Panelists included Head of People Nikki Krishnamurthy, Director Meghan Musbach, Senior Director Kelly Seeman, and Director of Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Initiatives Diane Krieman.
Lee, who advocates for gender-neutral bathrooms, LGBTQ rights and Black Lives Matter on social media in addition to her work, moderated the conversation.
Uber Director of Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Initiatives Diane Krieman (left) and Uber Senior Director Kelly Seeman (right) were part of the panel
The first session was in April and led to a complaint from a black female employee who said it was “tone-deaf, offensive and triggering.”
Lee defended the decision, according to The New York Times, telling the woman that while the conversation may have been awkward, “sometimes the right thing to do is to be pushed out of your own strategic ignorance.”
The second event took place on Zoom last week.
During the session, Hispanic and Black employees on designated Slack channels — “Los Ubers” and “Black at Uber” — complained of being “bailed at.”
“I just don’t even understand the premise of the meeting.
“I think when people are called Karen’s it is implied that it is someone who has little empathy for others or is bothered by minorities who are not like them.
Employees complained on Slack channels. Some said they felt they were being ‘bailed at’
Members of the company Slack channel ‘Black at Uber’ complained about the session
The same Slack channel celebrated when Bo was sent on leave
“Like why can’t bad behavior be called?” one employee complained.
Screenshots of their conversations were obtained by reporter Richard Hanania.
On May 18, the company announced that Lee had been placed on leave.
“We heard that many of you are hurting and upset by yesterday’s Moving Forward session.
Although it was intended as a dialogue, it is clear that those present did not feel heard.
“That’s why Dara and I have asked Bo to step back and take a leave of absence while we determine the next steps,” Krishnamurthy said.
The decision was celebrated on the Slack channels afterwards.
“I want to give a huge thank you to the great ERG leaders, especially Black@ who escalated Bo’s behavior to Dara and made sure our outrage didn’t go unheard.
“You deserve a raise and/or time off for all this unpaid emotional work,” said one employee.
Uber did not immediately respond to questions. It is unclear how many other sessions Lee held.