Cognizant Found Guilty of Discrimination Against Non-Indian Job Applicants

Bengaluru: Cognizant is facing significant legal challenges after a US jury ruled the company engaged in discriminatory practices against non-Indian job applicants. According to a report from SiliconValley.com, the jury recommended punitive damages against the company. This verdict follows a class action lawsuit involving approximately 2,000 former employees, alleging that Cognizant exhibited a consistent pattern of discrimination against non-Indian workers.

The lawsuit, filed by former employee Christy Palmer, claims that she was repeatedly reassigned from client service roles in favor of South Asian workers. It alleges that Cognizant prioritized filling US positions with “visa-ready” individuals, often from India, thereby minimizing opportunities for non-South Asian applicants residing in the US.

Palmer’s lawsuit, originally filed in 2017, encompasses claims dating back to 2013. It contends that Cognizant employed tactics to remove non-Indian employees by first placing them on the “bench” (a status where employees are not assigned work) and then terminating their employment as per company policy. The lawsuit alleges that as positions became available, “visa-ready” individuals were given exclusive preference, effectively sidelining non-South Asian workers.

Cognizant, which employs around 40,000 staff in the US, expressed disappointment with the jury’s verdict, stating that it intends to appeal the decision. A spokesperson for the company emphasized that Cognizant does not tolerate discrimination and takes such claims seriously.

As the legal battle unfolds, the case raises significant questions about workplace equity and hiring practices in the tech industry.

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