Google plans to pay $118 million to settle a gender discrimination class action lawsuit involving approximately 15,500 women (via Bloomberg† As noted in the Settlement press releaseGoogle is also required to have an independent labor economist evaluate its hiring practices and pay equality surveys.
The lawsuit arose in 2017 after three women filed a complaint accusing the company of underpayment of female employees in violation of California’s Equal Pay Act, citing a pay gap of approximately $17,000. The complaint also alleges that Google locks women into lower career paths, leading to lower pay and lower bonuses compared to their male counterparts. The plaintiffs won class-action status last year.
Google’s treatment of employees has been the target of criticism on more than one occasion. Last year, Google agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle a lawsuit alleging the company underpaid female engineers and overlooked Asian job applicants. The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) is also investigating the company over complaints of potential harassment and discrimination against black female employees.
“As a woman who has spent her entire career in the tech industry, I am optimistic that the actions Google has agreed to take in this settlement will bring greater equality to women,” said Holly Pease, a prosecutor in the case. a statement. “Google has led the tech industry since its inception. They also have the opportunity to lead the way to ensure inclusion and equality for women in technology.”
The terms of the settlement are yet to be approved by a judge at a hearing set to take place on June 21. Google didn’t respond right away The edge‘s request for comment.
A number of similar lawsuits against pay gaps have surfaced in the past decade, with class-action gender discrimination cases against Microsoft and Twitter failing to get a grip† Oracle is also facing a class-action lawsuit for alleged unequal pay, but according to Bloomberg’s Law, the group of women suing the company is likely to lose class action status after a judge said a class of 3,000 employees and 125 job classifications would be “unmanageable to go to trial.” Other tech companies, such as Apple and Riot Games, have also faced allegations of wage inequality.
