Google has agreed to a $50 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit alleging systemic racial discrimination against over 4,000 current and former Black employees in California and New York. Filed in the U.S.
District Court for the Northern District of California (Curley et al v Google LLC, No. 22-01735), the proposed settlement, pending court approval, addresses claims of biased hiring, promotions, pay, and performance reviews, marking a significant legal challenge for the tech giant.
April Curley, a former Google employee hired to engage with historically Black colleges and universities, initiated the lawsuit and alleged that Black workers at Google faced systemic barriers. Curley stated that Google assigned her to a lower-level position despite her qualifications, denied her promotions, underpaid her, and stereotyped her as an “angry” Black woman. After she created a report on racial disparities within the company, Google terminated her employment.
Google settles lawsuit that accused it of fostering systemic bias against Black employees https://t.co/hzsLcnGo7r
— Engadget (@engadget) May 9, 2025Court filings revealed that, in 2021, Black employees made up only 4.4% of Google’s workforce and 3% of its leadership roles. The lawsuit also argued that the company’s use of terms like “Googleyness” perpetuated bias against Black employees.
Google’s $50 million settlement covers 4,000+ Black employees and addresses claims of racial bias in roles, pay, and reviews.
Settlement and Google’s Response
Google denied any wrongdoing but chose to settle the lawsuit to avoid prolonged litigation. A spokesperson said, “We are committed to building an equitable and inclusive workplace.” The agreement allocates up to $12.5 million for plaintiffs’ legal fees.
Earlier this week, the court dismissed related claims from job applicants after reviewing the available evidence. The case began with a 2022 California regulator investigation into Google’s treatment of Black female employees.
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The settlement highlights ongoing diversity challenges in tech, with Google facing scrutiny over workplace equity. The case’s visibility, driven by Curley’s allegations and data on workforce demographics, underscores the need for systemic change. The outcome may influence other tech firms to address similar issues proactively, as public and regulatory focus on workplace fairness intensifies.
