Google has agreed to a $20.4 million settlement in a lawsuit filed by former employee Ulku Rowe Cantu, who accused the company of violating the California Equal Pay Act. The lawsuit, which challenged Google’s pay practices, is one of several legal battles the tech giant has faced over workplace equity issues.
Background of the Case
Cantu, who left Google in September 2021, alleged that the company engaged in gender-based pay discrimination. She claimed that Google systematically underpaid women compared to their male counterparts for similar roles, violating state labor laws designed to ensure fair wages. The case gained significant attention as part of a broader movement advocating for pay transparency and workplace equality in the tech industry.
Settlement Details
The $20.4 million settlement comes after Google successfully pushed for the exclusion of Black employees from the proposed class of affected workers, a condition that Cantu’s legal team agreed to earlier this month. The terms of the agreement specify that after deductions—including $7 million for legal fees, penalties related to California’s Private Attorneys General Act, and other administrative costs—the remaining funds will be distributed among eligible claimants who were impacted by Google’s pay policies.
Next Steps
Judge Adams has scheduled a final hearing on September 11 to determine whether the settlement will receive full approval. If approved, the compensation will be allocated according to the agreement’s terms, providing financial relief to the affected employees.
Cantu’s attorneys have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the settlement or the exclusion of Black employees from the proposed class. Google has also not issued a public statement on the matter.
This case marks another significant legal development in the ongoing conversation about workplace equity in major tech companies, highlighting the challenges employees face in securing fair pay and treatment in the industry.
