Alphabet Inc.it is GOOGL Google agreed to settle a gender discrimination lawsuit covering nearly 15,500 female employees by paying $118 million.

Law firms Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP and Altshuler Berzon LLP announced the settlement on Friday, adding that an independent expert will further analyze Google’s hiring practices.

An independent labor economist will also review the company’s pay equity studies.

According to the law firms, the Google settlement implicates women in 236 different positions within the company.

“As a woman who has spent her entire career in the tech industry, I am optimistic that the actions Google has agreed to take under this settlement will ensure more fairness for women,” holly peasone of the plaintiffs, said in the statement.

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The law firms added that a judge must approve the deal with Google. A hearing on a preliminary approval is scheduled for June 21.

Regarding the hearing, co-counsel for the plaintiffs Jim Finberg said, “Google has long been a technology leader. We are pleased that this settlement agreement and order also affirms its commitment to be a leader in pay equity and equal employment opportunity. for all its employees.

The plaintiffs who filed the lawsuit are Pease, Kelly Ellis, Kelli Wisuriand Heidi Lamar. All of the complainants are women who have worked for Google in California since September 14, 2013.

Photo: Ben Nuttall on flickr