In a case that transcends the tech world, 26 Meta employees and former employees have filed a federal lawsuit accusing the company of using discriminatory AI in layoffs through an internal system called Metamate. The system, according to the plaintiffs, disproportionately selected workers who were absent due to medical leave, pregnancy, or family care, affecting 10% of the global workforce.
The discriminatory AI in layoffs was based on productivity metrics and AI token consumption data, which employees on leave cannot accumulate. According to the complaint, the system automatically penalized those who exercised their legal right to protected leave, ignoring their situation and generating an unfair selection.
The impact on Meta’s workforce
In May 2026, Meta executed a round of layoffs that affected approximately 8,000 employees, equivalent to 10% of its workforce. All 26 plaintiffs had requested or received protected leave in the 24 months prior, which reinforces the accusation of discriminatory AI in layoffs.
Meta denies use of AI in layoff decisions
A Meta spokesperson denied the allegations to CNBC, stating that "people took and continue to take organizational decisions, not AI". The company insists that the decisions were human, although the Metamate system was used as a support tool in performance evaluation.
Growing concern over AI in hiring and layoffs
This case brings to light the growing unease over the use of discriminatory AI in layoffs and its impact on labor equity. Experts warn that data-driven tools can generate systemic biases if not corrected with labor protection criteria.
The lawsuit seeks for Meta to review its processes and compensate those affected by discriminatory AI in layoffs. The federal court in Northern California will evaluate whether the use of Metamate violated labor protection laws.
The Meta case represents a new milestone in the dispute between technology and labor rights, where discriminatory AI in layoffs could redefine hiring and firing standards in the global industry.
