EEOC Sues New York Times for Alleged Race and Sex Discrimination in Promotion

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit Tuesday against The New York Times, accusing the newspaper of violating federal law by denying a promotion to a White male employee because of his race and sex.

According to the EEOC's lawsuit, The New York Times passed over a well-qualified White male employee for the role due to his race and sex. The agency pointed to the paper's diversity, equity and inclusion policies, including its 2021 Call to Action and other publications that set goals to boost non-White and female representation in leadership.

The case centers on a longtime New York Times editor with extensive real estate journalism experience. He was passed over for an open deputy real estate editor position in early 2025. Every finalist in the interview process was a non-White female, and the paper hired an external candidate with little real estate experience despite it being a job requirement, the EEOC said.

The hiring manager approved the external candidate without standard interviews, and the final interview panel rated her lower than two other finalists, according to the lawsuit. The actions violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the agency alleged.

No one is above the law, including elite institutions, EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas said in a statement. There is no such thing as reverse discrimination; all race or sex discrimination is equally unlawful under civil rights principles, she said. Federal law bars hiring or promotion decisions motivated even partly by race or sex, with no diversity exception, Lucas added.

The New York Times rejected the politically motivated allegations. Its employment practices are merit-based and aim to recruit the best talent, communications chief Danielle Rhoades Ha said. The EEOC deviated from standard practices, she added. The claim involves one deputy position among over 100 in the newsroom, but the filing ignores facts for a predetermined narrative. Race and gender played no role; the paper hired the most qualified candidate, an excellent editor, Rhoades Ha said.

The Times's commitment to diversity and fair, legal hiring without discrimination is longstanding, she added.