Overview
- The plaintiffs filed a federal suit in Oakland on July 14–15 alleging Meta used internal AI-supported metrics and algorithmic scores to evaluate workers and help choose who would be laid off.
- They say those systems relied on measures such as tool usage, activity tracking and productivity panels and did not adjust for legally protected absences, which lowered scores for employees on medical or parental leave.
- The complaint asks a judge to halt further layoffs, require an independent review of Meta’s selection process, and bar consideration of data tied to protected leave during evaluations.
- Meta has publicly denied that AI made layoff decisions and said personnel choices were made by people, setting up a factual dispute the court will need to resolve.
- If the case goes forward it could be an early U.S. test of disparate-impact doctrine and local rules on automated decision systems as companies shift jobs toward AI-focused work, with direct consequences for workers who took leave or sought disability accommodations.