Former Meta Employees Accuse Company of Illegal AI-Driven Layoffs

Former Meta employees have filed a class-action lawsuit in a California district court, alleging the company used artificial intelligence and algorithms to unlawfully terminate workers. Earlier this year, Meta conducted mass layoffs, dismissing around 8,000 employees as part of its strategy to become an "AI-first company."

According to the lawsuit, Meta employed internal tools, including the AI assistant Metamate and performance monitoring systems, to evaluate employees. These tools tracked activity logs, such as keystrokes and browser history. The plaintiffs claim employees on maternity or medical leave were disproportionately affected by layoffs, as their productivity metrics declined due to absences.

U.S. labor laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act, protect workers from discrimination for taking medical-related leave. The plaintiffs argue Meta violated these laws by relying on automated systems that failed to account for legally protected absences. Meta denies the allegations, stating that human managers—not algorithms—make all termination decisions.

This lawsuit highlights the growing concerns about AI's role in workforce management. Studies show algorithms can perpetuate bias, particularly against vulnerable employee groups. For example, a recent Harvard University study revealed racial disparities in interview selection systems.