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A former employee of Beast Industries has filed a federal lawsuit alleging she was dismissed from her role shortly after returning from maternity leave, following what she describes as years of workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, and gender bias within the company.
The complaint, brought by Lorrayne Mavromatis in North Carolina, names MrBeast YouTube, LLC and GameChanger 24/7, LLC, accusing them of violating protections under the Family and Medical Leave Act. The law entitles eligible employees to unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying family and medical reasons, including childbirth. Alongside the lawsuit, Mavromatis has also filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging discrimination based on sex and pregnancy, as well as retaliation.
Mavromatis claims she remained actively engaged in her role even during childbirth, stating she continued working “nonstop” after her baby’s birth and even while in the delivery room. In an interview, she described feeling compelled to stay connected despite her condition. Less than three weeks after resuming full-time duties, she says she was terminated.
In response, a spokesperson for Beast Industries dismissed the lawsuit as a “clout-chasing complaint,” alleging it is built on false claims and misrepresentations. The company maintains that Mavromatis’s position was eliminated as part of a restructuring led by a new head of e-commerce. To support its position, the company cited internal Slack communications suggesting she had been advised not to work while in labor, as well as documentation indicating she had acknowledged receipt of employee policies, including those related to family and medical leave.
Beyond the termination dispute, the lawsuit paints a broader picture of what Mavromatis describes as a toxic and misogynistic workplace culture at the company founded by Jimmy Donaldson. Her claims arrive at a time when the media empire is undergoing rapid expansion into television, financial services, and other ventures. The company’s flagship reality series, “Beast Games,” continues to grow, while recent acquisitions and executive hires signal an effort to evolve beyond its YouTube origins.
Concerns about workplace culture at Beast Industries have surfaced previously, including scrutiny over past controversies involving Donaldson and allegations against former collaborators. In a 2024 internal email, Donaldson acknowledged the need to foster a safer and more supportive work environment. The company has since stated it conducted a third-party investigation, resulting in the dismissal of several employees over isolated incidents of misconduct.
Mavromatis’s lawsuit, however, suggests deeper systemic issues. According to her filing, employees were encouraged to go to extreme lengths to meet expectations, citing an internal guide that emphasized relentless work output and informal attitudes toward professionalism. She alleges that this environment contributed to her decision to participate in meetings even while in active labor, fearing professional repercussions if she disengaged.
The complaint also details alleged instances of inappropriate workplace behavior and comments, as well as claims that after raising concerns with human resources, she was reassigned to a diminished role. The company has denied these allegations, calling them inaccurate.
The case is being supported by the TIME'S UP Legal Defense Fund, which advocates for individuals facing workplace harassment and discrimination. Representatives from the organization described the lawsuit as part of a broader pattern in which power dynamics discourage accountability and silence those who speak out.
The legal action arrives at a high-profile moment for Donaldson, who is set to be recognized among the world’s most influential figures at an upcoming TIME100 event in New York. As Beast Industries continues to expand its footprint across entertainment and business, the outcome of this case may carry significant implications for both its public image and internal practices.
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