Google to pay $28M to settle claims it favored – Business News
Google agreed to pay $28 million to settle a class motion lawsuit claiming that it favored white and Asian workers by paying them more and placing them on larger profession tracks than different staff.
The accord with Google, a unit of Alphabet, received preliminary approval final week from Judge Charles Adams of the Santa Clara County Superior Court in California.
He referred to as the settlement honest, cheap and “a good result for the class” of a minimum of 6,632 Google workers in California between Feb. 15, 2018, and Dec. 31, 2024.
Ex-employee Ana Cantu mentioned she carried out exemplary work over seven years in Google’s people operations and cloud departments, but languished on the similar job degree whereas white and Asian friends bought additional pay and promotions. AFP by way of Getty Images
Google spokesperson Courtenay Mencini confirmed the settlement on Tuesday, however mentioned, “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 workers at Google.
Cantu mentioned she carried out exemplary work over seven years in Google’s people operations and cloud departments, but languished on the similar job degree whereas white and Asian friends bought additional pay and promotions.
Cantu mentioned the Mountain View, Calif.-based company put white and Asian workers in larger job “levels” than different workers, even for a similar work, and withheld raises and promotions from those that complained.
Cantu mentioned Google’s actions violated the California Equal Pay Act. She left Google in September 2021.
The lawsuit alleged put white and Asian workers in larger job “levels” than different workers, even for a similar work, and withheld raises and promotions from those that complained. Bloomberg by way of Getty Images
Adams mentioned the settlement got here after Cantu’s legal professionals agreed this month to exclude black workers from the proposed class, which Google had sought.
Net settlement proceeds complete $20.4 million, after deducting $7 million for legal charges, penalties tied to Cantu’s declare underneath California’s Private Attorneys General Act, and different prices.
Adams scheduled a Sept. 11 listening to to contemplate last settlement approval.
Cantu’s legal professionals didn’t instantly reply on Tuesday to requests for remark.
The case is Cantu v Google LLC et al, California Superior Court, Santa Clara County, No. 21CV392049.
