OHSU Racial Discrimination $750K Settlement, Were You a Union Employee Who Received Discipline Between 2019–2021?

Oregon Health & Science University agreed to pay $750,000 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it subjected Black employees and employees of color who were union members to disproportionately harsh disciplinary practices compared to their white counterparts. If you worked at OHSU as a member of AFSCME Local 328 or Oregon Nurses Association CA 52, identify as Black or a person of color, and received formal discipline — short of termination — between September 10, 2019, and December 31, 2021, you may qualify for an automatic payment of approximately $4,000 — no claim form required. The opt-out deadline is May 12, 2026.

Quick Facts

Current Status and What Happens Next

• Preliminarily approved — the court gave conditional approval and Simpluris is identifying all eligible class members using OHSU’s employment and disciplinary records.
• Opt-out deadline: May 12, 2026 — if you want to preserve your right to sue OHSU separately for these discrimination claims, you must mail a written opt-out request before this date.
• Final approval hearing: June 23, 2026 — if the court grants final approval, Simpluris will issue payments approximately 20 days after the court resolves any appeals. Unclaimed funds will be donated to the Northwest Workers Justice Project and Legal Aid Services of Oregon.

What Is the OHSU Discrimination Lawsuit About?

Plaintiffs Gloria Richards and Depreesha Smith filed the class action lawsuit Gloria Richards and Depreesha Smith v. Oregon Health and Science University, Case No. 21CV47583, on behalf of current and former OHSU employees alleging the university’s centralized human resources policies and practices resulted in a pattern of racial discrimination in workplace discipline. The lawsuit alleged OHSU’s HR system — including its disciplinary decision-making processes — allowed racial bias to systematically produce harsher outcomes for Black employees and employees of color, even when the underlying conduct was comparable to that of white employees.

The lawsuit cited data showing that as of 2020, employees identifying as racial minorities made up approximately 24% of OHSU’s workforce but constituted nearly 33% of involuntary terminations in 2019 and 31% in 2020. The case was filed just days after a December 2021 report by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and his law partner Nancy Kestenbaum — commissioned by OHSU itself — found the university had applied discipline inconsistently and had done little to achieve its stated diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. OHSU’s own leadership issued a public apology following that report’s release.

OHSU denied any wrongdoing and agreed to settle to avoid the cost and risk of continued litigation. In announcing the settlement, OHSU noted it had made significant structural and financial investments in its Human Resources department since the class period ended in December 2021.

What Structural Changes Did OHSU Agree to Make?

In addition to the $750,000 cash payment to class members, the settlement includes non-monetary relief — meaning OHSU agreed to institutional changes designed to prevent discriminatory discipline practices going forward. These structural components were a key part of the resolution and reflect the lawsuit’s goal of changing the system, not just compensating those harmed by it.

OHSU’s agreement to make Human Resources reforms was confirmed in the company’s own January 2026 public statement, which noted that both parties acknowledged the university had already made significant structural and financial investments in HR since the class period. Contact the settlement administrator or class counsel if you want to review the full details of the structural relief provisions in the settlement agreement at ohsuclasssettlement.com/documents.

Related Article: Kimberly-Clark Flushable Wipes $20M Settlement, Claims Closed — When Are Payments Coming?

Who Is Eligible to Receive a Payment?

The settlement administrator identifies all eligible class members automatically using OHSU’s HR and employment records. You do not need to file a claim form. All four of the following criteria must apply to you:

• You may qualify if you worked for Oregon Health & Science University at any time between September 10, 2019, and December 31, 2021.
• You may qualify if you were a member of AFSCME Local 328 or Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) CA 52 during your employment at OHSU.
• You may qualify if you identify as Black or as a person of color.
• You may qualify if you received formal disciplinary measures short of discharge — meaning written warnings, suspensions, performance improvement plans, or other documented formal discipline — during the class period. This does not include termination.

There are approximately 134 identified class members based on OHSU’s records. If you received a settlement notice, you are already identified. If you believe you qualify but did not receive a notice, contact Simpluris at 888-369-3780 or [email protected] immediately — before the May 12, 2026 opt-out deadline.

How Much Will You Receive?

Each eligible class member is expected to receive approximately $4,000 — an equal share of the net settlement fund after court-approved deductions.

Settlement fund breakdown:

The exact amount may vary slightly depending on the final number of eligible class members, actual administration costs, and court-approved awards. Any leftover funds after all payments are made will be donated to the Northwest Workers Justice Project — an Oregon nonprofit protecting workers’ rights — and Legal Aid Services of Oregon, which provides free civil legal aid to low-income Oregonians.

How Will You Receive Your Payment?

Because no claim form is required, here is what happens automatically:

Step 1 — Simpluris uses OHSU’s HR and employment records to identify all eligible class members and notifies them by mail or email.

Step 2 — If you received a settlement notice, you are already identified. You will automatically receive your payment after final court approval — no action needed.

Step 3 — If you believe you qualify but did not receive a notice, contact Simpluris at 888-369-3780 or [email protected] to verify your eligibility and update your contact information before the opt-out deadline.

Step 4 — If your mailing address or contact information has changed since you worked at OHSU, update it with Simpluris immediately to ensure your check reaches you.

Step 5 — If you want to opt out of the settlement and preserve your right to sue OHSU separately for these discrimination claims, mail a written and signed opt-out request to: Gloria Richards and Depreesha Smith v. Oregon Health and Science University, c/o Claims Administrator – 9222, P.O. Box 26170, Santa Ana, CA 92799 — before May 12, 2026.

Step 6 — Once your check arrives approximately 20 days after final approval, cash it promptly and contact Simpluris if you have any questions about your payment.

No action needed to receive payment — but update your contact information with Simpluris if you have moved since leaving OHSU.

Important Deadlines and Dates

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to file a claim form to receive my payment?

 No. Simpluris automatically identifies all eligible class members using OHSU’s HR and employment records and mails payments without any action required. If you received a settlement notice, your payment will arrive automatically after final court approval. You only need to act if you want to opt out, object, or update your mailing address. Contact Simpluris at 888-369-3780 or [email protected] if you believe you qualify but did not receive a notice.

Is this OHSU discrimination settlement legitimate?

 Yes. The settlement, Gloria Richards and Depreesha Smith v. Oregon Health and Science University, Case No. 21CV47583, is a court-supervised class action. OHSU publicly confirmed the settlement on January 20, 2026 through its official news site. The official settlement website is ohsuclasssettlement.com, administered by Simpluris, Inc. Verify any communication by calling 888-369-3780 or emailing [email protected].

When will I receive my payment? 

The final approval hearing is scheduled for June 23, 2026. If the court grants final approval and no appeals follow, Simpluris will issue payments approximately 20 days after that process concludes. This is one of the fastest payment timelines among active class action settlements — most eligible class members can expect checks in late July or early August 2026 if no appeals delay the process.

What if I miss the May 12, 2026 opt-out deadline?

 If you do not opt out by May 12, 2026, you automatically remain in the settlement and will receive your automatic payment. You also release your discrimination claims against OHSU for the practices this settlement covers. Most eligible class members will benefit from remaining in the settlement and receiving the approximately $4,000 automatic payment rather than pursuing individual litigation.

Will this settlement payment affect my taxes?

 Employment discrimination settlement payments may be treated differently for tax purposes depending on the nature of the damages — payments for emotional distress or back pay carry different tax treatment. The settlement administrator will issue appropriate tax documentation if required. Consult a qualified tax professional to understand how your specific payment will be handled on your federal and state returns.

What is AFSCME Local 328 and what role did the union play in this lawsuit?

 AFSCME Local 328 is the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees local union representing thousands of OHSU workers including custodial staff, food service workers, certified nursing assistants, and administrative employees. ONA CA 52 is the Oregon Nurses Association collective bargaining unit at OHSU. Both unions actively supported the lawsuit — AFSCME staff representative Valyria Lewis played a key early role in documenting the pattern of disproportionate discipline that led to the class action being filed in December 2021.

What did OHSU admit or deny as part of this settlement? 

OHSU denied any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. However, in announcing the settlement in January 2026, OHSU acknowledged that both parties agreed the company had made “significant structural and financial investments in Human Resources” since the class period ended. The December 2021 Eric Holder report — commissioned by OHSU itself — had previously found the university applied discipline inconsistently and lacked meaningful DEI implementation. OHSU issued a public apology after that report’s release.

What happens to money if a class member cannot be located?

 If settlement funds remain unclaimed after all payments are distributed — because a class member cannot be located or a check goes uncashed — those funds will be donated to the Northwest Workers Justice Project and Legal Aid Services of Oregon. These are both Oregon-based nonprofit organizations that protect workers’ rights and provide free civil legal aid to low-income residents. The funds will not revert to OHSU.

Sources and References

1. Official Settlement Website — ohsuclasssettlement.com
2. Settlement FAQ — ohsuclasssettlement.com/faq
3. OHSU Official Settlement Announcement — January 20, 2026

Oregon and Washington healthcare workers who experienced similar workplace violations may also want to review the Watermark Retirement Communities $2.5 million California wage settlement for hourly healthcare workers who were not paid for all hours worked, with an opt-out deadline of May 8, 2026. Workers who need to understand how long they have to pursue employment claims independently should review our guide on California wage and hour claim statutes of limitations for a clear explanation of how deadlines work for different types of employment law violations.

Last Updated: March 17, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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