A U.S. jury found that Cognizant Technology Solutions engaged in a series of acts of discrimination against non-Indian workers and should pay punitive damages to compensate harmed employees. handed down the verdict.
- Also read: Cognizant sues software rival Infosys over trade secrets
The ruling came after the tech companies failed to persuade a Los Angeles federal judge last month to dismiss a 2017 class-action lawsuit over hiring bias when the previous trial ended in a deadlocked jury.
A Cognizant spokesperson said the company is disappointed with the ruling and plans to appeal.
“We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and promote a culture of belonging where all employees feel valued, engaged and have opportunities to grow and succeed. We have built an inclusive workplace,” Jeff DeMaret said in an emailed statement.
Bloomberg News reported in July that the Teaneck, New Jersey-based company was one of the few outsourcing companies to exploit a loophole in the H1-B visa lottery system. The company defended its practices, saying it was fully compliant with U.S. law regarding visa procedures. Cognizant also said it has added jobs in the U.S. in recent years and reduced its reliance on the H1-B program.
The Los Angeles lawsuit stems from three employees who identify as “white” who allege in their lawsuit that Cognizant has a practice of favoring South Asians in hiring decisions. The plaintiffs claim they were fired after being “benched” without work for five weeks and then “visa-ready” workers from India scheduled to be sent to projects and assignments in the United States. claimed to have been replaced.
Cognizant granted more H-1B visas than any U.S. employer from 2013 to 2019, according to Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The case is Palmer v. Cognizant Tech Solutions Corp, 17-cv-06848, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Los Angeles).
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