Fired Google engineer files complaint, weighs legal options

A former Google engineer who was fired over a memo he wrote about gender differences says he's exploring all his legal options and has already filed a labor complaint over his treatment.

James Damore, whose memo over the weekend caused an uproar online, says in an email that he was terminated late Monday for "perpetuating gender stereotypes." He says he considers his firing illegal because he had already filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board.

The board declined to comment.

A filing by Damore with the board Monday alleged he was subjected to "coercive statements" while at Google.

Google declined to comment on the matter, but an email from CEO Sundar Pichai on Monday called Damore's memo "harmful" and said he'd address staff in a town hall Thursday.