Over 4,000 Black Employees Settle With Google For $50 Million Over Alleged Racial Bias

Google has agreed to a $50 million settlement to resolve a racial bias lawsuit brought by over 4,000 Black employees and job applicants in California and New York. The case, originally filed in 2022 as a proposed class action, stemmed from allegations that the tech giant maintained a "racially biased corporate culture," systematically discriminating against Black workers by hiring them into lower-level roles, giving them lower performance evaluations, offering less pay, and denying advancement opportunities.

April Curley, a former Google employee who helped recruit talent from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), became the lead plaintiff in the federal lawsuit. Curley claimed she was silenced in meetings, labeled an "angry" Black woman, and eventually terminated without cause after voicing concerns about racial inequities at the company. According to Curley and others, Black employees were often told they were not "Googley" enough—a term associated with fitting into the company's culture. At the time of the lawsuit, only 4.4% of Google's workforce was Black, and only 3% held leadership positions.

Despite settling the case, Google has not admitted wrongdoing. "We've reached an agreement that involves no admission of wrongdoing. We strongly disagree with the allegations that we treated anyone improperly," said Google spokesperson Courtenay Mencini in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. "We remain committed to paying, hiring, and leveling all employees consistently."

As part of the settlement agreement, Google has committed to a three-year plan that includes reevaluating its pay and job classification systems with a specific focus on racial equity. The company will also implement a more transparent salary structure and create clear procedures for employees to report concerns about compensation and workplace culture.

The resolution of the lawsuit marks a significant moment in the ongoing push for racial equity within the tech industry, which has long faced scrutiny over its lack of diversity and allegations of systemic discrimination. While the financial settlement offers some measure of accountability, it remains to be seen how effectively Google will deliver on its promises for internal change.

Link: AfroTech