The water block is just a product that wasn't handled as per the vendor agreement, a sign of weaknesses in internal processes, but not consequential for anyone not involved directly. Like they've had thousands of products through the org and maintained these positive relationships with large vendors. The idea that one time a miscommunication or agreement wasn't handled properly isn't that spectacular or even unusual.

Employees being treated shitty is a labor issue that has ramifications in how anti-discrimination laws are interpreted and applied. There's potential financial consequences for workers and exploitation.

It's also not out of the question the employee who screwed up the vendor agreement in the water block issue, is one of the people trying to bring these workplace discrimination issues to light. I don't think we know that level of detail but the fact that they would basically be forgiven for that, if it was known they were being treated poorly when that happened, shows how the discrimination issue is more significant.