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Google has agreed to pay $28 million (£21.5 million) to resolve a lawsuit alleging that white and Asian employees received superior pay and career advancement opportunities compared to individuals from other ethnic backgrounds, according to a law firm representing the plaintiffs. The tech company confirmed that it has “reached a resolution” but denied the claims made against it.
The lawsuit, initiated in 2021 by former employee Ana Cantu, asserted that workers of Hispanic, Latino, Native American, and other backgrounds began their employment with lower salaries and job levels than their white and Asian colleagues. Judge Charles Adams of the Santa Clara County Superior Court in California has granted preliminary approval for the settlement.
The case, brought forth by Ms. Cantu, was supported by a leaked internal document that purportedly indicated that employees from certain ethnic backgrounds reported receiving lower compensation for equivalent work. According to Ms. Cantu’s legal team, the practice of determining starting salaries and job levels based on previous earnings perpetuated existing disparities related to race and ethnicity.
The class action lawsuit encompasses at least 6,632 individuals who were employed by Google between February 15, 2018, and December 31, 2024, as reported by Reuters. Cathy Coble, one of the attorneys representing the claimants, commended the “courage of both the diverse and ally Googlers who self-reported their pay and shared that information with the media.” Ms. Coble further noted that “suspected pay inequity is often hidden without this type of collective action from employees.” The technology giant has denied any allegations of discrimination against its workforce.
A Google spokesperson informed “We have come to a resolution; however, we still contest the claims that we have treated anyone unfairly. We remain dedicated to ensuring equitable pay, hiring, and advancement for all employees.” Earlier this year, Google became part of a growing trend among U.S. companies that are retracting their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles in their hiring practices.
Other corporations, including Meta, Amazon, Pepsi, McDonald’s, and Walmart, have also scaled back their DEI initiatives. This shift occurs amid ongoing criticism of DEI policies from U.S. President Donald Trump and his supporters. Since resuming his presidency, Trump has directed government agencies and their contractors to abolish such programs.
