Qualcomm to pay $19.5 million to settle gender discrimination suit

SAN DIEGO – Qualcomm has agreed to pay $19.5 million to settle a gender discrimination class action lawsuit involving 3,300 women who alleged they were denied equal pay and job opportunities to their male counterparts.

The settlement reached Tuesday also stipulates that the San Diego-based chip maker implement policy changes and programs to better promote female employees working in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, known as STEM.

Qualcomm Technologies Inc. said in a statement that it “has strong defenses” to the claims but agreed to make improvements.

The women’s lawyers say the changes could turn Qualcomm into a model in the male-dominated tech industry.

The company agreed to the settlement before the lawsuit was to be filed in court Tuesday. The settlement is still subject to court approval.