Tech giant Google has reportedly reached a significant $27 million settlement with its employees over allegations of unfair labor practices, marking a record agreement in this domain, as highlighted in reports based on California state court documents.
The case, initiated under California's Private Attorneys General Act, emerged in 2016, offering an initial glimpse into the wave of employee activism that has surged through the tech industry over the past seven years, according to a report by Semafor released late on Friday.
The majority of the settlement, pending court approval, is slated to benefit the state, with approximately 100,000 Google employees expected to receive sums ranging from $20 to $70 each, contingent upon their duration of employment with the company.
"The Act's primary intent is to penalize companies rather than solely compensate employees," as elucidated in the report. A Google spokesperson noted, "While we maintain the validity of our policies, after nearly eight years of legal proceedings, Google has chosen to resolve the matter, emphasizing no admission of wrongdoing, as it is deemed in the best interest of all involved parties."
The lawsuit stemmed from the dismissal of a Google-owned Nest worker who had voiced grievances about the company's management on Facebook, resulting in their termination. This incident triggered legal action, reflecting the increasingly complex intersections between employee rights and corporate policies within tech organizations.
(With Agency Inputs)
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