Workday says millions of job applicants can't sue as a group over AI screening
WDAY•Workday asked a federal judge to block millions of job applicants from pursuing discrimination claims over its AI screening software as a group, arguing there is no common evidence. It also asked the judge to decertify a conditional collective of more than 15,000 people alleging age discrimination.
1. Workday challenges class claims
Workday asked a San Francisco federal judge to reject class certification in a 2023 lawsuit alleging its AI-powered screening software discriminates based on race, sex, age and disability. The company argued that the four named plaintiffs have not shown it made hiring decisions for its customers, leaving no common evidence to support the proposed classes.
2. Age claims and hearing
In a separate filing, Workday asked Judge Rita Lin to decertify a conditional collective of more than 15,000 people who opted into age-discrimination claims. Lin is scheduled to hold a class-certification hearing in March.
3. Software and case context
The lawsuit concerns three Workday software features that help compare applications with job postings, grade application matches and identify past applicants for openings. Workday says more than 11,500 organizations use its software, that one feature was never used by most customers, and that its technology focuses on qualifications and is tested for potential bias. Lin rejected initial efforts to dismiss the case in 2024 and mostly denied a bid in June to dismiss amended California-law claims.
