Meta is currently embroiled in a legal battle following a lawsuit filed by numerous employees who accuse the company of using artificial intelligence systems to determine layoffs, allegedly targeting workers on maternity leave, medical leave, and those with disabilities. The legal action, initiated in a federal court in California, claims that Meta utilized AI-driven performance evaluations and employee activity metrics to decide which employees would be laid off, impacting approximately 8,000 workers earlier this year.
The complaint asserts that the company depended on internal AI systems to rate and rank employees instead of using assessments from managers. This approach reportedly failed to consider approved leave periods, resulting in lower performance evaluations for those who had taken family or medical leave or who had received disability accommodations. Among the affected employees is a scientist who received news of her termination just two days before her due date. Another case involves an engineer whose performance rating allegedly suffered due to an injury-related absence. A manager who had just begun medical leave also claims he was laid off shortly thereafter.
The plaintiffs are petitioning the court to stop further layoffs while the case is under review. They are also seeking reinstatement, financial compensation for lost wages and benefits, and an independent examination of Meta’s AI systems to ensure fair practices. Meta has countered these allegations, stating that human decision-makers, not AI systems, are responsible for workforce and organizational decisions.
This lawsuit highlights the increasing concern surrounding the role of AI in workplace decision-making processes. Critics argue that relying on automated systems for such critical decisions could inadvertently introduce biases, particularly against employees who are on legally protected leave. The case against Meta adds to the ongoing debate about the ethical and fair use of artificial intelligence in employment practices.