Google Ending Class Action Waivers, Forced Arbitration for Employees

Google recently announced that it would be ending forced arbitration requirements for its employees starting next month.

CNN Business confirmed that current and future employees will no longer be bound by arbitration requirements and class action waivers starting on March 21.

These changes will reportedly not apply for former employees or individuals who have already settled matters with the company.

Additionally, some contractors may not see these changes if Google does not directly oversee their employment agreements.

The tech giant’s statement follows a November email that was published to the company’s blog, where CEO Sundar Pichai informed workers that they would no longer be forced to arbitrate sexual harassment and assault allegations. Instead, workers would be able to take their allegations to court.

Changes to Google’s arbitration clauses were reportedly in response to a November protest against the company. Google faced outrage during these protests when it was revealed that Android creator Andy Rubin received a $90 million severance package from Google after he was accused of sexual harassment by a credible source.

Critics asked Google to do away with policies such as mandatory arbitration requirements. They argued that these policies force workers into a weakened position where they are required to bring claims individually. Additionally, the workers’ advocates argued that the policies allow Google to keep sexual misconduct allegations private to protect themselves.

“We have not always gotten everything right in the past, and we are sincerely sorry for that,” Pichai wrote in the November email. “It’s clear we need to make some changes.”

At the time, Pichai stated that Google will “provide more granularity around sexual harassment investigations,” make changes to its reporting channels and accuser support systems, institute strict consequences for workers that fail to complete sexual misconduct training, and “recommit” to the creation of company’s “diversity, equity and inclusion.”

However, some advocates state that this is just the beginning when it comes to eliminating arbitration agreements. These agreements are criticized as lacking transparency, eliminating the right to appeal, discouraging whistleblowing, and limiting workers from joining class action lawsuits regarding harassment and discrimination.

The twitter account for Google protests, called “Google Walkout for Real Change,” recently called for further changes to the company’s arbitration agreements by eliminating the clauses completely.

“This victory never would have happened if workers hadn’t banded together, supported one another, and walked out,” the account tweeted on Feb. 21. “Collective action works. Worker power works. This is still just the beginning.”

American Association for Justice CEO Linda Lipsen praised the changes in a press release while also calling for further action. Lipsen urged federal authorities such as Congress to follow Google’s example and do away with arbitration agreements.

“Until the law is changed, forced arbitration remains the prevailing practice for most corporations, leaving millions of Americans unable to enforce their constitutional right to seek justice and accountability from the corporations who hurt them,” Lipsen stated. “Forced arbitration means that corporations can get away with breaking the law and never be held responsible.”