A Google employee, who appeared in social media campaigns as evidence of the company’s diversity, has sued her employers for discrimination.
The black and deaf female employee accused Google of discriminating against her race and disability.
Google First and Only Black and Deaf Female Employee
Jalon Hall made history when she became the first deaf and black employee to work for Google.
Google shared Hall’s story in several social media posts, which aimed to demonstrate how inclusive the tech giant is.
Google Employee Claims She Was Discriminated Against
No less than two months into her position at Google, Hall already felt she was being used as a way to promote the company’s diversity.
Now, the employee has filed a lawsuit against her employer for discrimination, according to Wired.
Hall Joins Google as Content Moderator
Hall first joined Google as a content moderator back in 2020. Upon accepting the position, she was thrilled to hear that the company would provide her with a sign language interpreter.
A few months into her employment with Google, Hall was tasked with helping to regulate YouTube’s child safety regulations. However, the managers refused to supply her with interpreters.
Struggling to Keep Up With the Workload
Without an interpreter, Hall admits she struggled to get up to par with the 75 videos each moderator was required to view daily. Nor could she accurately access the content.
“I felt a sense of humiliation, recognizing that my career wasn’t progressing,” she told Wired.
Google Employee Files Discrimination Lawsuit
Feeling discriminated against, Hall decided to file a lawsuit with the US Northern District of California.
Hall complains she was discriminated against because of her disability and race, slamming the tech company for limiting her access to the necessary sign-language interpreters she was promised.
Google’s Management Is Racist and Hostile
Hall’s complaint paints several high-ranking managers at Google as racist and hostile.
During her time in Google’s machine-learning research program, one manager called her an “aggressive black deaf woman,” per Wired.
Being Used to Promote Diversity
Hall believes she was used as a means for the company to promote their diversity.
“Google is using me to make them look inclusive for the Deaf community and the overall Disability community.” She continued, “In reality, they need to do better.”
Hall Remains a Level 2 Employee
According to Hall, she was intentionally left out of numerous discussions and lost a potential promotion due to an “inaccurate evaluation.”
After more than three years at the company, Hall is still a level-two employee. In comparison, the majority of Google employees reach level three in the same timeframe.
Deaf Employee Stands Firm in Her Position
As Black and disabled people make up such a small fraction of Google’s employees, Hall claims she won’t quit or be pushed aside.
“It would be selfish to quit Google,” she said. “I’m standing in the gap for those often pushed aside.”
Hall Previously Filed Several HR Complaints
At the beginning of March, Google filed to dismiss the lawsuit. However, it did not comment on or deny Hall’s claims.
Hall had previously filed three separate complaints with Google’s HR department before deciding to sue.
Google Employee Wants to Introduce Reinforcement Policies
If she wins the lawsuit, Hall will be issued personal compensation.
Hall also demanded Google introduce new reinforcement policies, which aim to provide future employees with equal opportunities “just as other non-Black Deaf employees with disability.”
