Facebook faces US investigation for 'systemic' racial bias in hiring

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission indicates it suspects company policies may fuel broad discrimination

A US agency investigating Facebook for racial bias in hiring and promotions has designated its inquiry as systemic", meaning it suspects company policies may be contributing to widespread discrimination.

Attorneys for three job applicants and a manager who claim the company discriminated against them told Reuters of the news on Friday.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) typically resolves disputes through mediation or allowing complainants to sue employers. But agency officials designate a few cases systemic", enabling investigators to bring in specialists to analyze company data and potentially bring a broader lawsuit representing entire classes of workers.