Cisco Accused of Racial Bias

Cisco, the world's largest networking equipment maker, has been accused of racial discrimination against minority job applicants.

Four African-American and one Asian American complained to EEOC (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) that they were denied sales positions because of their race, and less-qualified white applicants get the jobs.

EEOC has determined Cisco "demonstrated an ongoing pattern and practice of not hiring qualified minority candidates based on their race, color and national origin," according to EEOC letters released to the Mercury News.

The company denied the allegations. Cisco said it is "committed to maintaining and growing a diverse talent pipeline that we believe is required to compete successfully in the technology industry."