Latest news with #Phan
The Independent
18 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Ex-Netflix employee sues streaming giant claiming she was fired after filing discrimination complaints
A former labor relations lawyer at Netflix has sued the streaming giant and two executives, claiming they discriminated against her and other employees and retaliated against her after she filed harassment complaints, leading to her wrongful termination. Nhu-Y Phan, who worked at Netflix from May 2021 until her termination in September 2024, states that she and others experienced a hostile work environment while working under senior labor relations lawyer Ted Sinclair and Director of Labor Relations Jonah Cozien. In her lawsuit, Phan, who is Asian American, alleges she and colleagues who are women of color experienced gender and racial discrimination under Sinclair by being consistently passed over for opportunities they were qualified for and left out of meetings. Phan also alleges that Cozien sexually harassed her colleague, according to the lawsuit obtained by KTLA. After Phan filed complaints against Sinclair and Cozien, she alleges the two retaliated against her by writing unusual negative performance reports, which ultimately led to her termination. A spokesperson for Netflix said in a statement, 'These claims lack merit and we intend to defend this matter vigorously.' The Independent has reached out to Sinclair and Cozien for comment. 'Ms. Phan has been devastated both economically and emotionally by her wrongful discharge,' attorneys for Phan wrote in the complaint, filed in the California Superior Court in Los Angeles on July 21. 'Once a highly compensated professional with a sterling reputation, Ms. Phan faces an uphill battle finding comparable employment. The stress and humiliation of her termination, loss of income, and damaged reputation have been profound,' the complaint says. In her lawsuit, Phan says there was a clear change in the way she was treated after she filed the discrimination and sexual harassment complaints against her supervisors. The lawsuit states that Phan was well-paid and received glowing reviews. In her first few months working at the streaming giant, she received a $50k raise and was the lead labor relations person on multiple projects. In her role, Phan became the go-to person for production and business affairs when people were seeking labor advice, such as payment for directors, performers, and below-the-line crew. However, Phan says Sinclair, her then supervisor, began excluding Phan and other women of color from professional opportunities and giving those to other white employees who were less qualified. Phan alleges that at one point, Sinclair excluded her from negotiations between Netflix and the Directors Guild of America, despite Phan having previously worked under multiple executives at the DGA. In her lawsuit, Phan says she raised at least eight verbal or written complaints about Sinclair. Eventually, she moved under Cozien's supervision. But Phan states she later reported Cozien for allegedly sexually harassing her female colleague, after the colleague informed Phan that Cozien had been making her 'uncomfortable' by consistently asking her to get lunch, dinner, and after-work drinks – sometimes outside of work hours, such as when Cozien was on vacation with his family. Phan alleged Cozien then became 'hostile' toward her and revoked opportunities. Her lawsuit states that Cozien 'conspired' with Sinclair to have her fired, in part by writing a critical performance report. Phan is requesting a jury trial and asking for an unknown amount in damages from Netflix, Sinclair, Cozien, and other unnamed Netflix employees. 'Netflix is a corporate bully that will do anything to avoid responsibility for its actions,' said Brian Olney, an attorney at Hadsell, Stormer, Renick, and Dai LLP representing Phan, in a statement obtained by KTLA. The Independent has reached out to HSRD LLP for comment. The law firm told KTLA that 'Netflix repeatedly tried to silence Ms. Phan, first by firing her and then by suing her' by filing a lawsuit against her to compel arbitration. 'Nhu Phan had the courage to blow the whistle about Netflix executives who are discriminating against women of color and sexually harassing a female employee,' Olney said.
Los Angeles Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Former Netflix employee sues over wrongful termination, alleges discrimination and retaliation
A former labor relations employee at Netflix is suing the company, claiming she was wrongfully terminated after raising concerns over her superiors' discrimination against women of color and allegations of sexual harassment. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges that the employee's managers broke laws and policies that protect employees from race- and gender-based discrimination, and from retaliation for reporting alleged discrimination or harassment. Nhu-Y Phan was hired at Netflix as legal counsel in labor relations in May 2021. She was fired due to 'unspecified performance issues' in September 2024, her lawsuit said. According to the complaint, Phan had never been subject to any discipline and had received overwhelmingly positive performance reviews and feedback throughout her time at the company. She is seeking punitive damages, emotional distress damages, past and future lost income and other forms of relief, as well as a jury trial. A Netflix spokesperson said in a brief statement the claims outlined in the suit 'lack merit and we intend to defend this matter vigorously.' For the first year of her Netflix career, Phan was supervised by Ted Sinclair, who is named as a defendant in the suit. Phan alleges that Sinclair repeatedly excluded her and other women of color on her team from professional opportunities that he offered to white colleagues, and that he 'encouraged a white employee' to take credit for her work. Phan made multiple verbal and written complaints about this unequal treatment, including through meetings with both the human resources department and with Sinclair directly, but was still denied opportunities, the lawsuit said. She asked to be removed from Sinclair's direct supervision in the summer of 2022. Later, a female colleague confided in Phan, alleging that her new supervior, Jonah Cozien, was sexually harassing her, the complaint said. Cozien is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. Phan reported the behavior to human resources, and after doing so, Cozien became 'frequently hostile' toward her, limiting her professional opportunities and giving her critical feedback despite never having provided feedback before she made the report, according to the suit. Sinclair and Cozien did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and their lawyers could not be identified. After Phan was fired, her lawyers say Netflix filed a lawsuit against her to compel arbitration. Brian Olney, one of the attorneys from Pasadena-based Hadsell Stormer Renick & Dai who is representing Phan, said forcing her into arbitration proceedings is a violation of the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, which became law in 2022. Because records in arbitration are protected, employers that have arbitration clauses in their employment contracts can avoid public attention on cases involving sexual harassment and assault. The House Judiciary Committee said passing the law would bring justice to victims who were 'locked out of the court system and are forced to settle their disputes against companies in a private system of arbitration that often favors the company over the individual.' 'Netflix fired Nhu Phan and tried to force her into secretive arbitration proceedings to silence her voice,' Olney said in a statement. 'With her lawsuit, she is standing up to this corporate bully and their outrageous and despicable conduct.'
NBC News
22-07-2025
- Health
- NBC News
Investigation underway after Vietnamese national in ICE custody died in the hospital
An investigation is underway after a Vietnamese national died in the hospital on Saturday while in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, according to an email seen by NBC News. Tien Xuan Phan, 55, had been in custody at the ICE Processing Center in Karnes County, Texas, for seven weeks. A representative for the family did not respond to a request for comment. According to the ICE email, Phan was taken to the local hospital, Otto Kaiser Memorial Hospital, on Friday for "evaluation due to seizures, vomiting, and unresponsiveness and was later airlifted to the Methodist Hospital Northeast for further evaluation." The cause of death was not stated and is now the subject of the investigation. ICE routinely conducts investigations into any detainee deaths and publishes them online after 90 days. Phan was ordered to be removed from the country by an immigration judge on April 2, 2012, but an ICE official says they "failed to leave the U.S. as ordered." Phan was then arrested in early June this year. The Karnes facility in Texas has, at times, exceeded its contractual capacity of 928, and once held 1,311 detainees this fiscal year, according to data obtained by immigration researchers at Syracuse University. NBC News contacted ICE and the Department of Homeland Security for further comment on whether Phan had a criminal record. So far this year, eight detainees have died while in ICE custody, according to the agency's own figures, including one other from Vietnam. The rest were from Mexico, Haiti, Colombia, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Honduras and Guyana. In total, 12 detainees died in ICE custody in 2024, the figures show. The American Civil Liberties Union and other human rights groups said in a report last year that most of the deaths of people in ICE custody between 2017 to 2021 could have been prevented if the agency had provided proper medical care. a central policy of this term, with ICE officials told to make thousands of arrests every day.
Scottish Sun
15-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Brit backpacker ‘who killed dad with e-scooter following six-hour pub session' appears in court as she faces 20yrs
The Brit had been drinking for six hours before the crash, reports claim SCOOTER HORROR Brit backpacker 'who killed dad with e-scooter following six-hour pub session' appears in court as she faces 20yrs Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Brit backpacker accused of killing a dad-of-two after crashing into him on an e-scooter following an alleged six-hour pub session has appeared in court. Alicia Kemp, 25, was charged over the horror smash that left 51-year-old Thanh Phan with fatal head injuries in June. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Alicia Kemp, 24, was denied bail in an Australian court in June after being charged over the horror smash 4 Thanh Phan, 51, was the devoted dad-of-two killed in the e-scooter crash Credit: LinkedIn 4 The psychology graduate from Redditch, Worcestershire, is accused of striking Phan from behind while speeding down a footpath Credit: TikTok / aliciashona The psychology graduate from Redditch, Worcestershire, is accused of striking Mr Phan from behind while speeding down a footpath in Perth with a friend on board as a passenger. The dad-of-two was rushed to hospital but tragically died of a brain bleed days later. The Brit had been drinking for six hours before the crash, reports The Sydney Morning Herald. Kemp was charged with dangerous driving causing death under the influence of alcohol, as well as dangerous driving causing bodily harm under the influence of alcohol. read more news HOLS HORROR Brit tourist, 25, dies after plunging 22ft from car park on holiday island The 25-year-old, who is yet to enter a plea, appeared on Tuesday at Perth Magistrates' Court on video, court officials said. Kemp was denied bail at a hearing in June. She was remanded in custody in Australia until her case returns to court on 11 August for legal argument. Prosecutors previously said Kemp had a blood alcohol content of 0.158 when she 'careered into his back' at up to 25km/h as the dad stood at a crossing on a Saturday night in June. The court heard walkers had to 'take evasive action' to avoid Kemp's 'inexplicably dangerous' riding, which was captured on CCTV. Her 26-year-old passenger also suffered a fractured skull and broken nose. Moment Brits including woman are beaten and kicked by Turkish 'Mad Boys' bouncers in row over bill and 'insulting flag' Kemp, who was in Australia on a four-month tourist visa with her partner, had been working at Durty Nelly's Irish Pub in Perth. She had been drinking with a friend from 2.30pm - who was kicked out of a bar for being too drunk - before they hired the e-scooter just before 8.30pm. Her bail bid was rejected after a magistrate ruled she posed too great a flight risk. The magistrate said: "It's a very difficult decision for the court to make. The temptation might be that [she] won't return. "I can't manage that risk." Phan's devastated family described him as a 'beloved husband, father-of-two, brother, and dear friend', and are now calling for a crackdown on e-scooter safety laws. 'We also call for a review of the governance and safety regulations surrounding hired e-scooters to help prevent further serious incidents that put lives at risk,' they said in a statement. In a statement released through police, Phan's grieving family pleaded for privacy and called on authorities to tighten e-scooter hire regulations. 'We also call for a review of the governance and safety regulations surrounding hired e-scooters to help prevent further serious incidents that put lives at risk,' they said. The charge of dangerous driving causing death carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. And under Western Australian law, e-scooter riders have to wear a helmet, be sober, carry no passengers and be over 16 years old.
The Irish Sun
15-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Brit backpacker ‘who killed dad with e-scooter following six-hour pub session' appears in court as she faces 20yrs
THE Brit backpacker accused of killing a dad-of-two after crashing into him on an e-scooter following an alleged six-hour pub session has appeared in court. Alicia Kemp, 25, was charged over the horror smash that left 51-year-old Thanh Phan with Advertisement 4 Alicia Kemp, 24, was denied bail in an Australian court in June after being charged over the horror smash 4 Thanh Phan, 51, was the devoted dad-of-two killed in the e-scooter crash Credit: LinkedIn 4 The psychology graduate from Redditch, Worcestershire, is accused of striking Phan from behind while speeding down a footpath Credit: TikTok / aliciashona The psychology graduate from Redditch, Worcestershire, is accused of striking Mr Phan from behind The dad-of-two was rushed to hospital but tragically died of a brain bleed days later. The Brit had been drinking for six hours before the crash, reports Kemp was charged with dangerous driving causing death under the influence of alcohol, as well as dangerous driving causing bodily harm under the influence of alcohol. Advertisement read more news The 25-year-old, who is yet to enter a plea, appeared on Tuesday at Perth Magistrates' Court on video, court officials said. Kemp was denied bail at a hearing in June. She was remanded in custody in Australia until her case returns to court on 11 August for legal argument. Prosecutors previously said Kemp had a blood alcohol content of 0.158 when she 'careered into his back' at up to 25km/h as the dad stood at a crossing on a Saturday night in June. Advertisement Most read in The Sun The court heard walkers had to 'take evasive action' to avoid Kemp's 'inexplicably dangerous' riding, which was captured on CCTV. Her 26-year-old passenger also suffered a fractured skull and broken nose. Moment Brits including woman are beaten and kicked by Turkish 'Mad Boys' bouncers in row over bill and 'insulting flag' Kemp, who was in Australia on a four-month tourist visa with her partner, had been working at Durty Nelly's Irish Pub in Perth. She had been drinking with a friend from 2.30pm - who was kicked out of a bar for being too drunk - before they hired the e-scooter just before 8.30pm. Advertisement Her bail bid was rejected after a magistrate ruled she posed too great a flight risk. The magistrate said: "It's a very difficult decision for the court to make. The temptation might be that [she] won't return. "I can't manage that risk." Phan's devastated family described him as a 'beloved husband, father-of-two, brother, and dear friend', and are now calling for a crackdown on e-scooter safety laws. Advertisement 'We also call for a review of the governance and safety regulations surrounding hired e-scooters to help prevent further serious incidents that put lives at risk,' they said in a statement. In a statement released through police, Phan's grieving family pleaded for privacy and called on authorities to tighten e-scooter hire regulations. 'We also call for a review of the governance and safety regulations surrounding hired e-scooters to help prevent further serious incidents that put lives at risk,' they said. The charge of dangerous driving causing death carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Advertisement And under Western Australian law, e-scooter riders have to wear a helmet, be sober, carry no passengers and be over 16 years old. 4 The Brit had also been drinking for six hours before the crash, reports The Sydney Morning Herald Credit: TikTok / aliciashona
