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To end a class-action lawsuit, Google will pay $11 million to more than 200 plaintiffs age 40 and older who sued the internet giant, claiming that it discriminated in its employment practices based on age.
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As first reported by Bloomberg, in addition to the payout, Google's parent company, Alphabet Inc., has agreed to train its managers about age-related bias and to launch a committee that will focus on bringing age diversity to its workplace.
The payouts amount to about $35,000 for each plaintiff.
The initial case against Google was brought by Cheryl Fillekes, who said she was interviewed four times in seven years, according to Bloomberg, but was never offered a job despite “highly pertinent qualifications and programming experience.” Fillekes alleged that Google engaged in a “systematic pattern and practice of discriminating."
Google denied the allegations, Bloomberg reported. In the case of Fillekes and others, Google said, the applicants failed to show the required technical aptitude for the positions. The company has said that it has robust policies against age discrimination.
