26 Meta Workers Sue Over AI-Driven Layoffs After 10% Workforce Cut

3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jul 14

Twenty-six current and former Meta employees sued Monday, alleging the company’s latest layoffs unlawfully targeted workers on protected leave, including those affected by pregnancy and disability laws.
The complaint says Meta’s internal AI systems weighed metrics such as performance scores, output and AI-token consumption that workers on medical or family leave could not accumulate, skewing layoff selections.
Plaintiffs were among the 10% of Meta’s workforce cut in May and are seeking an injunction to preserve their employment status pending an independent audit and arbitration of their claims.
Meta said the allegations lack merit and that workforce decisions were made by people, not AI, even as the case adds to scrutiny of algorithmic employment tools.
The suit follows a California federal ruling last month allowing discrimination claims against Workday’s AI hiring software to proceed, widening legal pressure on workplace AI systems.