Google's $50 Million Racial Discrimination Settlement: What 4,000 Black Employees Are Owed

# Google's $50 Million Racial Discrimination Settlement: What 4,000 Black Employees Are Owed

> **Quick answer:** Google's $50 million racial discrimination settlement — formally known as Curley v. Google LLC — is heading to a final approval hearing on May 7, 2026. The settlement covers current and former Black employees at job levels 3-6 who worked in California (2018-2023) or New York (2017-2023). Allegations include systematic under-leveling, denied promotions, and lower pay. If approved, eligible class members can file claims at CurleySettlement.com for a payout based on tenure, job level, and documented harm.

Google's $50 million racial discrimination settlement is days away from final court approval — and most people don't know they may be eligible. The case, Curley v. Google LLC, exposed a specific and well-documented form of workplace bias called "under-leveling": assigning qualified workers to lower job grades than their credentials warrant, then blocking their advancement from the inside. Roughly 4,000 current and former Black Google employees in California and New York lived this reality between 2017 and 2023. On May 7, 2026, a federal judge will decide whether to formally approve the deal.

*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for legal matters specific to your situation.*

## What Google Was Accused Of Doing

The lawsuit was led by a Black female recruiter who spent years building outreach programs for historically Black colleges and universities at Google. She and two co-plaintiffs alleged that despite strong performance reviews, they were passed over for promotions, paid less than white colleagues doing equivalent work, and subjected to hostile work environments.