Google agreed to pay $28 million to settle a category motion lawsuit claiming that it favored white and Asian staff by paying them extra and placing them on increased profession tracks than different employees.
The accord with Google, a unit of Alphabet, received preliminary approval final week from Decide Charles Adams of the Santa Clara County Superior Court docket in California.
He referred to as the settlement honest, cheap and “a good result for the class” of a minimum of 6,632 Google staff in California between Feb. 15, 2018, and Dec. 31, 2024.
Google spokesperson Courtenay Mencini confirmed the settlement on Tuesday, however stated, “We continue to disagree with the allegations that we treated anyone differently, and remain committed to paying, hiring and leveling all employees fairly.”
The lawsuit was led by Ana Cantu, who identifies as Mexican and racially Indigenous, on behalf of Hispanic, Latinx, Indigenous, Native American, American Indian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and Alaska Native staff at Google.
Cantu stated she carried out exemplary work over seven years in Google’s folks operations and cloud departments, but languished on the similar job stage whereas white and Asian friends acquired further pay and promotions.
Cantu stated the Mountain View, Calif.-based firm put white and Asian staff in increased job “levels” than different staff, even for a similar work, and withheld raises and promotions from those that complained.
Cantu stated Google’s actions violated the California Equal Pay Act. She left Google in September 2021.
Adams stated the settlement got here after Cantu’s attorneys agreed this month to exclude black staff from the proposed class, which Google had sought.
Web settlement proceeds whole $20.4 million, after deducting $7 million for authorized charges, penalties tied to Cantu’s declare underneath California’s Non-public Attorneys Basic Act, and different prices.
Adams scheduled a Sept. 11 listening to to contemplate ultimate settlement approval.
Cantu’s attorneys didn’t instantly reply on Tuesday to requests for remark.
The case is Cantu v Google LLC et al, California Superior Court docket, Santa Clara County, No. 21CV392049.
