Google has reached a $50 million settlement with Black employees who alleged systemic racial disparities in hiring, pay, and advancement. The settlement received final court approval this week.
The lawsuit was filed in 2022 by April Curley, a former Google employee, who alleged the company engaged in a pattern of discriminatory treatment toward Black workers. The suit claimed Google steered Black employees into lower-level, lower-paying roles with less advancement potential, and subjected those who spoke out to a hostile work environment. The case later received class action status.
The complaint alleged that Google viewed Black job candidates through racial stereotypes, that hiring managers deemed Black candidates “not ‘Googly’ enough,” and that interviewers undermined Black candidates during the hiring process.
The lawsuit reflected years of complaints from Black employees at the company, including prominent AI researcher Timnit Gebru, who alleged she was pushed out in 2020 following a dispute over a research paper examining the societal risks of an emerging branch of artificial intelligence.
The settlement was first announced in May 2025. Google stated at the time that it strongly disagreed with the allegations and remains committed to consistent pay, hiring, and leveling practices for all employees. The settlement does not constitute an admission of liability.
Beyond the financial payment, the agreement includes commitments to pay equity analyses, pay transparency measures, and limits on mandatory arbitration for employment-related disputes through at least August 2026.
