Ex-MrBeast Employee Claims Years of Harassment and Retaliation After Maternity Leave
A former employee of Beast Industries has initiated legal action against the media production company owned by MrBeast, alleging that she was dismissed from her role as a social media manager shortly after returning from maternity leave. The lawsuit details years of purported sexual harassment and gender discrimination within the workplace.
Lorrayne Mavromatis filed her complaint in federal court in North Carolina on Wednesday, claiming violations of federal laws that protect employees' rights to take unpaid, job-protected leave for family and medical reasons, including childbirth. Additionally, she lodged a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, citing discrimination based on sex and pregnancy, as well as retaliation.
In an interview, Mavromatis recounted her experience, stating she worked “nonstop” even during labor. “I was still bleeding, and I just had to show up,” she explained. Her termination occurred less than three weeks after her return to work.
A spokesperson for Beast Industries dismissed the lawsuit as a “clout-chasing complaint,” asserting that Mavromatis's position was eliminated during a reorganization led by the new head of ecommerce. The company provided evidence of a Slack conversation where a colleague advised Mavromatis against checking messages while she was in labor.
In response to claims that MrBeast failed to inform her of her rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act, the company shared a screenshot showing Mavromatis's acknowledgment of receiving the employee handbook, which included FMLA policies. “We will not submit to opportunistic lawyers looking to manufacture a payday from us,” the statement concluded.
The allegations in Mavromatis's lawsuit shine a light on the internal culture at Beast Industries, particularly as new leadership aims to expand the media empire founded by Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast. The lawsuit paints a picture of a toxic environment that the company has been attempting to reform amid ambitious projects like the “Beast Games” reality competition series on Amazon Prime.
Concerns about workplace culture resurfaced two years ago following social media backlash over Donaldson’s past remarks and accusations against a collaborator for inappropriate communications with minors. In an email to staff in August 2024, Donaldson acknowledged the need to foster a safe environment for all employees.
Following a third-party investigation that uncovered “isolated instances” of harassment and misconduct, several employees were terminated. Donaldson has since broadened his presence in mainstream entertainment, appearing at events like the MTV Video Music Awards and promoting brands in high-profile commercials.
Despite these controversies, Beast Industries continues to grow, recently hiring executives from major companies like NBCUniversal and TikTok as it seeks to establish itself beyond Donaldson’s personal brand.
Mavromatis's lawsuit coincides with Donaldson's recognition at the TIME100 celebration in New York City, where he is honored among influential figures such as Pope Leo XIV and President Donald Trump.
The workplace environment at Beast Industries has been described as high-pressure, with Mavromatis's lawsuit referencing a 36-page guide titled “HOW TO SUCCEED IN MRBEAST PRODUCTION.” This guide encouraged employees to go to great lengths for their work, suggesting that long hours were expected and that “it’s okay for the boys to be childish.”
Under this pressure, Mavromatis reported joining team meetings from her hospital bed during labor, fearing termination if she did not comply. “I actually had to hold my breath in between talks because of how hard the contractions were,” she recalled.
Hired in August 2022 as head of Instagram, Mavromatis quickly rose through the ranks but later sought advice from James Warren, Donaldson's cousin and then-CEO, regarding Donaldson’s apparent discomfort around her. Warren allegedly remarked that Donaldson “gets really awkward around beautiful women.”
After reporting harassment and a hostile work environment to human resources—overseen by Donaldson's mother—Mavromatis claims she was demoted to an obscure role. The company refuted this assertion, labeling it “false and inaccurate.”
The TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund is backing Mavromatis's case, emphasizing the need for accountability in workplaces plagued by abuse. Senior director Jennifer Mondino stated, “We see this pattern frequently, where those with influence and power are allowed to harm others and retaliate against those who decide to speak up.”
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