Google Settles Racial Discrimination Lawsuit for $50 Million

Google has agreed to settle a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by Black employees who alleged systemic disparities in hiring, pay, and career advancement, Barbara Ortutay reported for the Associated Press (AP).

The complaint alleged that Black employees were steered into lower-level and lower-paying jobs and faced hostile working environments when they raised concerns. (Photo: Anthony Quintana Flickr )

The lawsuit, initially filed in 2022 by former Google employee April Curley, accused the tech giant of engaging in a “pattern and practice” of unfair treatment toward Black workers.

The complaint alleged that Black employees were steered into lower-level and lower-paying jobs and faced hostile working environments when they raised concerns.

Additional former employees later joined the case, which received class-action status.

“This case is about accountability, plain and simple,” said civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represented the plaintiffs. “For far too long, Black employees in the tech industry have faced barriers that limit opportunity.”

The $50 million settlement marks one of the more significant workplace discrimination agreements involving a major technology company in recent years.