Google has agreed to a $28 million (£21.5 million) settlement in a lawsuit alleging racial bias in pay and career progression, according to a law firm representing the claimants.

While the tech giant confirmed a resolution had been reached, it denied any wrongdoing.

The lawsuit, filed in 2021 by former Google employee Ana Cantu, claimed that Hispanic, Latino, Native American, and other non-white, non-Asian employees were assigned lower salaries and job levels compared to their white and Asian colleagues.

Judge Charles Adams of the Santa Clara County Superior Court in California has granted preliminary approval for the settlement.

Ms. Cantu’s case cited a leaked internal document suggesting that employees from underrepresented backgrounds received lower compensation for equivalent work. According to her lawyers, Google's practice of determining salaries and job levels based on previous earnings perpetuated racial and ethnic disparities.

The class action covers at least 6,632 individuals employed by Google between February 15, 2018, and December 31, 2024, Reuters reported.

Attorney Cathy Coble, representing the plaintiffs, commended the employees who disclosed pay disparities. “Without collective action from employees, suspected pay inequity can remain hidden,” she said.

Google has continued to reject claims of discrimination. “While we have reached a resolution, we disagree with the allegations that we treated anyone unfairly. We remain committed to equitable pay, hiring, and leveling,” a company spokesperson told the BBC.

Earlier this year, Google joined several U.S. corporations, including Meta, Amazon, and Walmart, in scaling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The move comes as President Donald Trump and his administration push to eliminate DEI policies across government agencies and contractors.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1213 HRS, March 19, 2025
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