A collective action lawsuit has been filed against Workday, Inc., alleging age discrimination in its job application platform. The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of California, concerns individuals aged 40 and older who applied for jobs using Workday's platform since September 24, 2020. Plaintiffs claim the platform's AI features led to discriminatory hiring practices.

This case centers on how AI is used in the hiring process. At issue is whether Workday's algorithms, used to score, sort, and rank applicants, have unfairly screened out older candidates. The lawsuit seeks to determine if these AI-driven decisions violate the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). Affected individuals have until March 7, 2026, to opt-in.

Those who opt in will be represented by the plaintiffs' attorneys, with no upfront legal fees. The court will determine if applicants meet the criteria – applying through Workday's platform while aged 40 or over, and being denied an employment recommendation due to AI results. If the lawsuit succeeds, it could set a precedent for how AI is used in hiring.

The outcome of this case could reshape how companies use AI in recruitment. This lawsuit highlights the growing scrutiny of AI in talent acquisition and the potential for these tools to perpetuate bias. It underscores the need for careful consideration of fairness and transparency when deploying AI in employment processes.