Meta used AI to tag workers who took leave to be laid off, lawsuit claims (www.theguardian.com)

A group of Meta employees has filed a lawsuit claiming the company used artificial intelligence systems to unfairly target them for layoffs, particularly after they requested protected leaves such as maternity or disability accommodations. The complaint, lodged in California's federal court, asserts that a blend of internal AI tools—including performance ratings and monitoring of employee activity—was leveraged to compile a termination list, undermining the judgment of human managers and disproportionately affecting those on leave. This case highlights the growing scrutiny over AI decision-making in the workplace, as employees express concerns around bias and privacy. The lawsuit alleges that Meta's AI systems penalized employees for lawful absences, with some plaintiffs reporting they received lowered performance ratings due to their leave. As companies increasingly adopt AI for workforce management, regulators are keenly observing how these technologies impact workers' rights. The plaintiffs are seeking legal intervention to halt the layoffs, call for an independent audit of Meta's AI practices, and protect their employment status while arbitration is underway, emphasizing the potential irreparable harm of losing job-related benefits during critical life events.