Google has agreed to pay $118 million to settle a gender discrimination lawsuit, in a class action lawsuit involving some 15,500 employees.
The lawsuit first appeared in 2017, after 3 women filed a complaint accusing the company of paying workers low wages in violation of the California Equal Pay Act, citing a pay gap of about $ 17,000, according to the American “Bloomberg” agency.
The complaint also alleges that Google locks women into fewer career paths, resulting in lower salaries and fewer bonuses compared to their male counterparts.
The female employees who received compensation worked across several levels and divisions within Google, with compensation averaging about $7,600 per employee.
Among the complainants, Heidi Lamar, a preschool teacher at Google’s Children’s Center, earns $18.51 an hour, while her male counterpart with lower qualifications and experience receives $21 an hour.
The terms of the financial settlement still need to be approved by the judge, at a hearing that will be held on June 21.
Commenting on the ruling, a Google spokesperson said: “While we strongly believe in the fairness of our policies and practices, after nearly 5 years of litigation, both sides have agreed that resolving the matter, without any acceptance or outcome, is in everyone’s interest, and we are pleased to have reached this agreement. “.
Google pays $118 million to female employees who earn less than their male colleagues
