Uber's sexual harassment settlements revealed

More than 50 employees stand to collect a payout from the firm

Uber's sexual harassment settlements revealed

Risk Management News

By Lucy Hook

Uber Technologies is to pay out $1.9 million in total to dozens of current and former employees who filed claims that they were victims of sexual harassment at the firm, it has been revealed.

56 claimants will collect an average of $33,928.57, Bloomberg reports. In addition to the $1.9 million, a further $5.1 million will be divided among more than 480 workers – including the 56 – as part of a 2017 class action lawsuit in which claimants alleged they faced discrimination in the workplace.

The class action suit is being led by two Latina engineers who filed a claim against the firm in October in which they alleged they were paid less than their white, Asian and male colleagues.

The figures were revealed in final accounting documents lodged Monday to a federal judge in California.

The payouts were calculated based on the severity and duration of the alleged misconduct, the existence of supporting witnesses and documentation, the impact on the victim, the perpetrator’s job title and other circumstances, according to the report.

But the proposed settlement will need court approval before payouts are made, and members of the class action lawsuit have a right to object.

Uber described the payout sums as “fair, reasonable, and adequate,” in a BBC report.

Jahan Sagafi, a lawyer who negotiated the settlement on behalf of the employees, said that his legal firm was “happy that the settlement approval process is progressing as planned.”

“So [once it is approved] we can pay class members for these discrimination and harassment claims and begin the three-year effort to monitor Uber’s implementation of the HR improvements,” he said in the report.

According to Bloomberg, two people covered by the settlement have opted out so far, and no class member has filed an objection. A hearing on approval of the settlement is set for November 06.

 

 

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