Google Pays $28M To Settle Claims of Favoring White and Asian Workers

Google has agreed to pay $28 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that it favored white and Asian employees by offering them higher salaries and faster career advancement than other workers.

The settlement covers at least 6,632 employees who worked for Google in California between February 15, 2018, and December 31, 2024.

The settlement, which received preliminary approval last week from Judge Charles Adams of the Santa Clara County Superior Court in California, covers at least 6,632 employees who worked for Google in California between February 15, 2018, and December 31, 2024.

The judge called the agreement fair, reasonable, and "a good result for the class."

Google spokesperson Courtenay Mencini confirmed the settlement on Tuesday but 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 employees.

Cantu claimed that despite performing exemplary work over seven years in Google's people operations and cloud departments, she remained at the same job level, while white and Asian colleagues received promotions and extra pay.