A group of Meta employees has initiated a legal battle against the company, contending that it utilized artificial intelligence systems to identify workers for layoffs. They argue that this disproportionately targeted those on maternity leave, medical leave, and employees with disabilities. The lawsuit, which was filed in a California federal court, claims that Meta used AI-driven performance ratings and employee activity data, such as productivity metrics, to decide which staff members would be affected by a workforce reduction that impacted approximately 8,000 employees earlier this year.
The complaint highlights that Meta’s internal AI systems were used to score and rank employees, bypassing traditional manager assessments. The plaintiffs assert that these systems did not properly consider approved leave periods, leading to unfairly low performance scores for those who had taken family or medical leave or received disability accommodations. Among the plaintiffs is a scientist who learned of her termination just two days before she was due to give birth. An engineer recovering from an injury also reported a drop in his performance rating due to his absence, and a manager on medical leave claimed he was laid off shortly after his leave began.
The affected employees are pursuing a court order to pause the layoffs while the legal proceedings are underway. Their demands include reinstatement, compensation for lost wages and benefits, and an independent review of Meta’s AI systems. Despite these allegations, Meta has refuted the claims, asserting that decisions regarding workforce and organization are made by humans rather than AI systems.
This lawsuit emerges amid increasing apprehension over the role of AI in workplace decision-making. Critics caution that automated systems might introduce biases, especially against employees who exercise their legally protected leave rights. As the case progresses, it underscores the growing debate on the ethical implications of AI in employment practices.