Meta is currently embroiled in a legal battle as dozens of its employees have lodged a lawsuit, accusing the tech giant of utilizing artificial intelligence systems to determine layoffs. The employees assert that this method disproportionately targeted individuals on maternity or medical leave, as well as those with disabilities.
The complaint, submitted to a federal court in California, claims that Meta employed AI-driven assessments and activity data, including metrics gauging productivity, to decide which employees would be dismissed in a recent workforce reduction. This downsizing reportedly impacted around 8,000 workers earlier this year. The employees involved in the lawsuit argue that instead of relying on manager evaluations, Meta used internal AI systems to rank and score employees. They contend that these AI systems overlooked approved leave periods, leading to lower performance ratings for those on family or medical leave or who had received disability accommodations.
Among the plaintiffs is a scientist who was notified of her job termination just two days before she was due to give birth. Another plaintiff, an engineer recovering from an injury, alleges that his performance score suffered due to his absence. Additionally, a manager claims he was laid off shortly after beginning a medical leave.
The employees seek a court injunction to pause the layoffs while the case is under review. They also demand reinstatement, compensation for lost wages and benefits, and an independent review of Meta’s AI systems. In response, Meta has refuted the accusations, maintaining that human decision-makers, not AI systems, handle workforce and organizational decisions.
This lawsuit emerges against a backdrop of increasing apprehension about the role of AI in workplace decisions. Critics caution that AI systems could inadvertently perpetuate biases against employees who use legally sanctioned leave.