California: Google has agreed to a $28 million settlement in a lawsuit alleging pay and promotion discrimination.
The case claimed that the company favored white and Asian employees over other racial and ethnic groups.
A California judge granted preliminary approval for the settlement, calling it fair and reasonable.
The lawsuit covered 6,632 employees working at Google between February 15, 2018, and December 31, 2024.
Despite settling, Google denies treating any employees unfairly based on race or ethnicity.
Employee Allegations
Ana Cantu, a former employee, led the lawsuit on behalf of impacted workers.
She claimed that Google placed white and Asian employees in higher-paying job levels.
Cantu alleged that she was denied promotions despite performing well in her roles at Google.
Raises and career advancement were allegedly withheld from employees who challenged these practices.
Cantu argued that Google’s actions violated the California Equal Pay Act.
Legal Process
Cantu worked in Google’s people operations and cloud departments for seven years.
She left the company in September 2021 after experiencing stalled career growth.
Judge Charles Adams approved the settlement, noting it was a positive outcome for affected employees.
Google successfully pushed to exclude Black employees from the proposed class in the final settlement.
The lawsuit originally included Hispanic, Latinx, Indigenous, Native American, and Pacific Islander employees.
Financial Breakdown
After deductions, $20.4 million will be distributed among eligible employees.
Legal fees and penalties account for $7 million of the total settlement amount.
The case included claims under California’s Private Attorneys General Act.
Cantu’s legal team has not yet responded to media inquiries.
Company Response
A Google spokesperson confirmed the settlement but denied any wrongdoing.
Google continues to emphasize its commitment to equal pay and fair treatment.
The tech giant has faced previous lawsuits related to pay disparities.
Despite legal challenges, Google has not admitted any liability in this case.
