Google $50M Racial Discrimination Class Action Settlement

Danielle Toth

Editor

Published

April 20, 2026 4:31 PM

Updated

April 20, 2026

Who are the class members?

Individuals must meet all of the following criteria:

Google’s records identified them as Black or Black+ (meaning Black or African American and one or more other races or ethnicities).
They worked in job levels three, four, five or six.
Their position was located in California at any time from March 18, 2018, through Dec. 31, 2023, OR in New York at any time from Oct. 15, 2017, through Dec. 31, 2023.

If an individual received a settlement notice addressed to them, Google’s records show they are a class member. The settlement administrator and class counsel have a list of eligible individuals. Those who are not on the list are most likely ineligible.

Who is excluded from the class?

Those who exclusively held a job in a legal job family or subfamily at Google
Anyone who executed a general release of claims with Google between Oct. 15, 2017 (for New York employees) or March 18, 2018 (for California employees) and Dec. 7, 2025

How much is the Google payout?

Each eligible class member who participates in the settlement and submits a valid claim form will be eligible for an individual settlement payment. The total settlement fund is $50 million, but the exact amount each person receives will depend on several factors.

The net settlement fund is the total settlement fund minus attorneys’ fees and costs, service awards to class representatives, settlement administration costs and other costs. The settlement administrator will distribute the remaining amount to eligible class members based on the facts and circumstances of their claims.

The trustee and neutrals will review each claim and recommend a payment amount based on factors such as length of service, job level, experiences of discrimination or retaliation, financial and emotional harm, and other relevant details

How is the award calculated?

There is no fixed minimum or maximum award. Instead, the trustee and neutrals will consider:

Length of service at Google
Job level(s) held
Experiences with pay, leveling, performance reviews, discipline, office environment, exclusionary treatment, lack of advancement or career opportunities, and more
Whether the claimant lodged an internal complaint or filed a charge/lawsuit
Whether the claimant experienced retaliation
Career or reputational harm
Financial distress and post-Google income (if seeking recovery for periods after employment)
Emotional distress
Other relevant factors

How to claim a class action payment

Class members do not need to file a claim at this time. If the court grants final approval to the settlement, they will receive a separate notice advising them of their rights and the claims process.

Payout options

The settlement administrator will mail checks to the addresses it has on file. If a check is returned, the administrator will attempt to contact the claimant for an updated address. Class members must cash checks within 90 days of the date on the check.

$50 million settlement fund

The $50,000,000 settlement fund covers:

Settlement administration costs: To be determined
Attorneys' fees and costs: Up to $12,500,000
Service awards to class representatives: Up to $50,000 each for three representatives ($150,000 total)
Payments to eligible class members: The remaining balance

Important dates

Deadline to opt out: March 20, 2026
Deadline to rescind opt out: May 6, 2026
Final approval hearing: May 7, 2026

When is the Curley v. Google LLC payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments to class members after the trustee and neutrals review each claim and recommend a payment amount.

Why is there a class action settlement?

The class action lawsuit alleged Google engaged in race discrimination against Black and Black+ employees in hiring, job assignments, pay, promotions, performance reviews and other employment practices. The plaintiffs also claimed Google retaliated against employees who complained and maintained a racially hostile work environment.

Google denied all allegations but agreed to settle to avoid the costs and risks of further litigation. The settlement provides both monetary and nonmonetary relief, including changes to Google’s employment practices.