Leading Democratic Payroll Vendor Accused of Punishing Employees for Taking Paid Family Leave

Rippling, a top HR software company, faces lawsuits and complaints over alleged mistreatment of workers who exercised their leave rights.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 9:38am

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The Democratic Party's top payroll vendor, the human resources software company Rippling, has been accused of cultivating a 'borderline barbaric' internal culture that penalizes employees who take the paid family or medical leave to which they're entitled, according to lawsuits and complaints from several former employees. The allegations against Rippling come as it has received generous tax breaks from Democratic governors in California and New York, where the company has expanded its operations.

Why it matters

The claims against Rippling raise concerns about the treatment of workers at a company that has become an integral part of the Democratic Party's operational ecosystem, processing millions in payroll expenditures for the DNC and ActBlue. The allegations also highlight potential tensions between the party's pro-worker rhetoric and the practices of its vendors.

The details

Several former Rippling employees have filed lawsuits and complaints alleging the company terminated their employment or took other punitive actions after they exercised their rights to take paid family or medical leave. One former engineering manager, Fu Zhou, said she was fired after taking leave for IVF treatments, and that her male replacement was subsequently terminated 'shortly after expressing his own intention to take family leave.' Another former employee, David Behar, alleged Rippling fired him 'immediately after he exercised his fundamental statutory right to bond with his newborn child.'

  • In 2023, California Gov. Gavin Newsom granted Rippling $12.7 million in tax breaks to support its San Francisco headquarters.
  • In 2024 and 2025, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul awarded Rippling $7 million in tax breaks to help the firm build its New York City offices.
  • The DNC and ActBlue began working with Rippling in the second quarter of 2025, around the same time Rippling's billionaire cofounder, Prasanna Sankar, was accused of rape and sexual abuse by his estranged wife.

The players

Rippling

A human resources software company that has become an integral part of the Democratic Party's operational ecosystem, processing millions in payroll expenditures for the DNC and ActBlue.

Gavin Newsom

The Democratic governor of California who granted Rippling $12.7 million in tax breaks in 2023 to support its San Francisco headquarters.

Kathy Hochul

The Democratic governor of New York who awarded Rippling $7 million in tax breaks in 2024 and 2025 to help the firm build its New York City offices.

Prasanna Sankar

The billionaire cofounder of Rippling who was accused of rape and sexual abuse by his estranged wife in 2025, leading him to leave the company that year.

Parker Conrad

The cofounder and current CEO of Rippling, who was previously forced out as CEO of Zenefits, another HR company he cofounded, in 2017 for widespread insurance law violations.

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What they’re saying

“Rippling has a pattern of bias against employees exercising their rights to take family or medical leave.”

— Fu Zhou, Former Rippling engineering manager

“No one should have to choose between a paycheck and caring for their newborn child.”

— Kathy Hochul, New York Governor

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.