March 12, USA: Sheryl Sandberg, the former Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, now Meta, has found herself at the center of a growing controversy following the release of a memoir by Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former employee of the social media giant. The book, titled Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism, paints a damning picture of the company’s internal culture, accusing its former leaders, including Sandberg and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, of fostering an environment of excess, entitlement, and questionable behavior.
Wynn-Williams, who left Facebook in 2017 before the company rebranded as Meta, recounts several incidents involving Sheryl Sandberg that have sparked widespread debate. Among the most striking allegations is an account of a European trip during which Sandberg allegedly instructed her then 26-year-old assistant to purchase lingerie for both of them without regard for cost.
The final bill reportedly amounted to a staggering $13,000. The memoir further describes intimate behavior between Sandberg and her assistant during the trip, including taking turns sleeping in each other’s laps and stroking each other’s hair. These details, as reported by media outlets, have raised eyebrows and fueled discussions about workplace boundaries and professionalism.
Another shocking claim from the book involves an incident on a private jet flight back to the U.S. Wynn-Williams alleges that Sheryl Sandberg invited her to share the only bed available on the aircraft. When Wynn-Williams declined the offer, Sandberg reportedly became visibly irritated. These anecdotes, if true, suggest a culture of blurred lines and power dynamics that have left many questioning the ethical standards within the company’s leadership.
Meta has since responded to the allegations, with a spokesperson dismissing them as “out-of-date and previously reported claims.” The spokesperson also stated that Wynn-Williams was terminated from the company for “poor performance and toxic behavior,” a characterization that Wynn-Williams has not publicly addressed.
The memoir also sheds light on Wynn-Williams’ unsettling interactions with Joel Kaplan, Facebook’s former vice president of global policy. She alleges that Kaplan made her uncomfortable at a company event by pressing against her on the dance floor and making inappropriate comments about her appearance. Additionally, Wynn-Williams claims that Kaplan persistently emailed her during her maternity leave, despite her near-fatal experience with an amniotic fluid embolism. She describes his inquiries as intrusive and insensitive, further exacerbating her distress during a vulnerable time.
Facebook conducted an internal investigation into Kaplan’s conduct, interviewing 17 witnesses over 42 days. The inquiry ultimately cleared him of any wrongdoing. However, the allegations have reignited conversations about workplace harassment and the adequacy of corporate investigations in addressing such claims.
Sarah Feinberg, a former Meta employee, publicly defended Kaplan on the social media platform Threads, stating that she did not recognize the version of events presented in the book. Feinberg described Kaplan as a “professional and fair” individual, adding that her personal experiences with him did not align with Wynn-Williams’ portrayal.
The memoir also offers a critical perspective on Mark Zuckerberg, tracing his evolution from a coding-obsessed engineer to a power-driven executive. Wynn-Williams recounts an incident during a trip to Indonesia where she was allegedly instructed to orchestrate a crowd of over a million people to create the appearance of a public frenzy around Zuckerberg. This anecdote underscores the lengths to which the company was willing to go to cultivate its public image, raising questions about authenticity and the ethical implications of such actions.
Careless People is more than a personal account; it is a cautionary tale about the perils of unchecked power and the erosion of idealism within one of the world’s most influential tech companies. Wynn-Williams’ allegations, while contested, have sparked important conversations about corporate culture, leadership accountability, and the treatment of employees in high-pressure environments.
As the controversy unfolds, the tech industry and the public at large are left to grapple with the broader implications of these revelations. Whether these claims are fully substantiated or not, they serve as a reminder of the need for transparency, ethical leadership, and a commitment to fostering workplaces where employees feel respected and valued.
For now, Sheryl Sandberg, Joel Kaplan, and Mark Zuckerberg remain central figures in a narrative that continues to evolve, one that challenges the legacy of a company that has profoundly shaped the digital age. As more voices emerge and more stories are told, the true extent of the culture within Facebook—and its impact on those who worked there—may come further into focus. Keep Readin Questiqa.com.
Get more News Headlines On Our Social Platforms And Do Follow.
About The Author
