
Lawsuit claiming discrimination by the Workday HR program could have huge impacts on how AI is used in hiring
The collective action lawsuit could have a huge impact on how artificial intelligence is used in the hiring process.
Workday is used by thousands of organizations around the world to recruit new employees. Many companies use it as a first step in the hiring process. It's often the online portal where applications for jobs are submitted.
One program that the HR company offers is called HiredScore AI. This service grades candidates through 'unbiased, AI-driven analysis,' according to the firm. The idea behind this program is to allow recruiters a quick way to sort through candidates.
But several job candidates who have submitted applications through Workday have come forward, claiming the company's algorithms are discriminatory, based on age and other factors.
Derek Mobley, a Morehouse College graduate with almost a decade of experience in financial, IT and customer service work, sued Workday last year, claiming that its algorithms led to more than 100 job application rejections over seven years because of his age, race and disabilities.
Four other job candidates made similar discrimination claims. On Friday a California district judge ruled that the case can move forward as a collective action lawsuit.
All of the plaintiffs are over the age of 40, and they claim that they have submitted hundreds of job applications through Workday collectively, only to get rejected each time.
One of the plaintiffs, Jill Hughes, claimed that she received automated rejections for hundreds of submitted job applications 'often received within a few hours of applying or at odd times outside of business hours,' according to court documents.
She claimed this indicated 'a human did not review the applications,' the documents read.
Workday said in a statement to The Independent: 'We continue to believe this case is without merit. This is a preliminary, procedural ruling at an early stage of this case that relies on allegations, not evidence.
'The Court has not made any substantive findings against Workday, and has not ruled this case can go forward as a class action. We're confident that once Workday is permitted to defend itself with the facts, the plaintiff's claims will be dismissed.'
In a collective action lawsuit, plaintiffs have to opt into it, whereas in a class action lawsuit, a large group of people is included in the case unless they opt out.
Workday still has the option to ask for the claims to be handled by the court individually.
Mobley's original complaint said that 'too often' algorithmic decision-making and data analysis tools 'reinforce and even exacerbate historical and existing discrimination.'
If Mobley and the other plaintiffs are successful in their collective action suit, Workday may have to change its practices. This could have a dramatic effect on how companies use AI in future hiring processes to weed out candiates before a manager can even see their applications.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Geeky Gadgets
25 minutes ago
- Geeky Gadgets
iCloud Backup for iPhone: What You Need to Know
Backing up your iPhone to iCloud is a crucial step in protecting your personal data and making sure it remains accessible when needed. Whether you are upgrading to a new device, troubleshooting an issue, or simply safeguarding your information, iCloud provides a seamless and efficient way to store your photos, contacts, app data, and more. The video below from Apple explains how iCloud backups work, how to manage your storage effectively, and how to troubleshoot common issues, making sure your data stays secure and recoverable. Watch this video on YouTube. Automatic Backups: A Reliable and Convenient Option iCloud's automatic backup feature offers a hands-free solution to keeping your data secure. Once enabled, your iPhone will back up daily under specific conditions: the device must be locked, connected to a power source, and connected to Wi-Fi. This ensures your data is consistently updated without requiring manual intervention. To enable and confirm automatic backups: 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone. 2. Tap your name at the top to access your Apple ID settings. 3. Select iCloud, then navigate to iCloud Backup. 4. Ensure the toggle for iCloud Backup is switched on. This feature is particularly beneficial for users who prefer a low-maintenance approach to data protection. By automating the process, you can rest assured that your information is regularly backed up without disrupting your daily routine. Monitoring Your Backup Status Regularly checking the status of your iCloud backups is essential to ensure your data is being protected as expected. This simple step can help you identify and address potential issues before they become problematic. To check your backup status: 1. Open Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. 2. Review the status indicators, which provide quick insights into your backup's condition: Green Dot: Indicates that the backup was completed successfully. Indicates that the backup was completed successfully. Gray or Red Dot: Signals an issue, such as backups being disabled, insufficient storage, or a lack of Wi-Fi connectivity. If you notice a gray or red dot, take immediate action. For example, reconnect to Wi-Fi, enable backups in your settings, or free up iCloud storage space to resolve the issue. Regular monitoring ensures your data remains secure and up to date. Manual Backups: When Extra Control Is Needed While automatic backups are convenient, there are situations where a manual backup is more appropriate. For instance, before installing a major software update or troubleshooting a technical issue, creating a manual backup ensures you have the most recent version of your data stored. To perform a manual backup: 1. Open Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. 2. Tap Back Up Now to initiate the process. 3. Ensure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi and a power source during the backup. Manual backups provide an added layer of control, allowing you to secure your data at specific moments when it is most critical. This flexibility can be particularly useful in situations where you need immediate reassurance that your information is safe. Effective Management of iCloud Storage iCloud offers 5 GB of free storage, but this may not be sufficient for users with extensive data. To prevent backup failures due to insufficient space, it is important to manage your iCloud storage effectively. To review and optimize your storage: 1. Navigate to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Account Storage. 2. Examine the size of your backups and decide which apps or data to include. For instance, you might exclude large files or apps that are already stored elsewhere. 3. Delete old backups from devices you no longer use to free up space.


Geeky Gadgets
25 minutes ago
- Geeky Gadgets
How to Build a Custom AI Assistants with Microsoft Copilot 365
Have you ever wished for an assistant that not only understands your unique workflow but also executes tasks exactly the way you would? Imagine automating your most time-consuming responsibilities—drafting polished emails, generating detailed reports, or even crafting professional social media posts—all with a tool that feels like an extension of yourself. With Microsoft Copilot 365, this isn't just a futuristic dream; it's a tangible reality. By building your own custom AI agent, you can unlock a level of productivity and personalization that goes far beyond the default Copilot experience. Whether you're a small business owner, a project manager, or simply someone looking to streamline their daily grind, this hands-on breakdown will show you how to turn Microsoft's AI-powered tools into your ultimate productivity ally. In this guide, the Piggy Bank Accountant walks you through the step-by-step process of creating your first Microsoft Copilot 365 agent, from defining its purpose to training it with precision. You'll discover how to tailor your agent's tone, behavior, and functionality to meet your exact needs—whether it's responding to customer inquiries with empathy, generating visually engaging content, or automating technical documentation. Along the way, you'll learn how to use advanced features like code interpretation and image generation to push your agent's capabilities even further. By the end of this journey, you won't just have a tool—you'll have a custom-built partner designed to help you work smarter, not harder. So, what could this agent free you up to focus on? Let's explore the possibilities. Building Custom Copilot Agents Understanding AI Agents in Microsoft Copilot 365 AI agents in Microsoft Copilot 365 are highly customizable tools designed to execute specific tasks based on user-defined instructions and training. Unlike the default Copilot, these agents are tailored to meet unique requirements. For example, you can create an agent to draft LinkedIn posts in a professional tone, generate customer service responses with consistent language, or even assist with technical documentation. By customizing their behavior, you can achieve greater efficiency and consistency in your workflows, making these agents invaluable for both personal and professional use. Steps to Build a Microsoft Copilot 365 Agent The process of building a custom agent involves several critical steps. Each stage ensures the agent is functional, aligned with your goals, and capable of delivering the desired results. Initial Setup: Start by accessing the 'Describe' tab in Microsoft Copilot 365. Clearly outline the agent's purpose. For instance, specify whether it will assist with drafting emails, generating reports, or managing customer service interactions. This step establishes the foundation for your agent's functionality. Start by accessing the 'Describe' tab in Microsoft Copilot 365. Clearly outline the agent's purpose. For instance, specify whether it will assist with drafting emails, generating reports, or managing customer service interactions. This step establishes the foundation for your agent's functionality. Detailed Customization: Navigate to the 'Configure' tab to refine the agent's capabilities. Define its behavior, tone, and response format. For example, you can set the agent to use a formal tone for business communications or a conversational tone for social media posts. Adding a meaningful icon can also help users quickly identify the agent's purpose. Build Your First Microsoft Copilot 365 Agent Today Watch this video on YouTube. Below are more guides on Microsoft Copilot from our extensive range of articles. Training Your Agent for Optimal Performance The effectiveness of your agent depends heavily on the quality of its training. Providing clear, relevant, and comprehensive data is essential to ensure the agent performs as expected. Provide Examples: Use past work, such as email drafts, reports, or social media posts, to teach the agent your preferred style, tone, and structure. These examples serve as a guide for the agent to replicate your desired output. Use past work, such as email drafts, reports, or social media posts, to teach the agent your preferred style, tone, and structure. These examples serve as a guide for the agent to replicate your desired output. Focus on Relevance: Avoid including irrelevant or outdated data, as this can confuse the agent and reduce its accuracy. Ensure that all training materials are directly related to the tasks the agent will perform. By investing time in thorough training, you can ensure the agent understands your expectations and consistently delivers high-quality results. Crafting Precise Instructions Providing structured and detailed instructions is crucial for guiding your agent's behavior. A clear framework ensures the agent can interpret your requirements accurately and produce outputs that meet your standards. Goal: Define the specific task the agent should accomplish, such as drafting a formal email or creating a social media post. Define the specific task the agent should accomplish, such as drafting a formal email or creating a social media post. Context: Offer background information to help the agent understand the scenario. For example, explain the target audience or the purpose of the communication. Offer background information to help the agent understand the scenario. For example, explain the target audience or the purpose of the communication. Expectations: Specify the tone, style, and level of detail required. For instance, you might request a concise and professional tone for business emails. Specify the tone, style, and level of detail required. For instance, you might request a concise and professional tone for business emails. Source: Provide references or examples to guide the agent's responses. This could include templates, previous work, or style guides. For example, if you're creating an agent to draft customer service responses, you might specify that the tone should be polite and empathetic, with responses structured to include a greeting, solution, and closing. Using Advanced Features Microsoft Copilot 365 offers a variety of advanced features that can be enabled or disabled based on your agent's purpose. These features allow you to customize the agent's functionality to suit specific tasks. Code Interpretation: Enable this feature if your agent needs to analyze or generate code, making it ideal for technical tasks such as debugging or script creation. Enable this feature if your agent needs to analyze or generate code, making it ideal for technical tasks such as debugging or script creation. Image Generation: Activate this capability for tasks involving visual content creation, such as designing graphics or generating visual aids for presentations. Additionally, you can add suggested prompts for common tasks, making it easier for users to interact with the agent and use its capabilities effectively. Testing and Refining Your Agent Testing is an essential step to ensure your agent performs as intended. Begin by providing sample inputs and carefully reviewing the outputs. For instance, if the agent drafts an email, evaluate whether the tone, format, and content align with your preferences. Identify any areas for improvement and adjust the training data or instructions accordingly. Iterative testing and refinement are key to optimizing the agent's performance and making sure it meets your expectations. Configuring Access and Security Once your agent is ready, it's important to configure its access settings to maintain data security and ensure appropriate usage. You can restrict access to specific individuals or teams within your organization. This step is particularly critical for protecting sensitive information and making sure compliance with organizational policies. Applications of Custom AI Agents Custom Microsoft Copilot 365 agents can be applied to a wide range of tasks, helping you save time and improve efficiency. Common use cases include: Email Drafting: Automate the creation of professional emails tailored to different audiences, making sure consistency and accuracy. Automate the creation of professional emails tailored to different audiences, making sure consistency and accuracy. Social Media Content: Generate engaging posts for platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram, tailored to your brand's voice and style. Generate engaging posts for platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram, tailored to your brand's voice and style. Customer Service: Respond to inquiries with pre-defined, consistent messaging, improving response times and customer satisfaction. Respond to inquiries with pre-defined, consistent messaging, improving response times and customer satisfaction. Report Generation: Streamline the creation of detailed reports by automating data analysis and formatting tasks. By automating repetitive tasks, these agents free up your time for more strategic and creative activities, allowing you to focus on achieving your broader goals. Maximizing the Potential of Your Microsoft Copilot 365 Agent Building a custom Microsoft Copilot 365 agent is a practical and effective way to streamline workflows and enhance productivity. By following this guide, you can create an agent tailored to your specific needs, making sure it delivers consistent and high-quality outputs. With clear instructions, comprehensive training, and thoughtful customization, your agent can become an indispensable tool for achieving your objectives efficiently and effectively. Media Credit: Piggy Bank Accountant Filed Under: AI, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.


The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Ready to retire in 5 years? Here's your checklist
Many of the best investing moves are made on autopilot. Just look at the track record of automatic payroll deductions and savings increases. Other investing decisions, like a transition into retirement, require a more hands-on approach. Christine Benz, Morningstar's director of personal finance and retirement planning, recommends taking a preemptive approach as you get closer to retirement. The key is to visualize what you want your retirement to look like while you have enough time to make any adjustments you might need to get you there. Here are five steps to take now if you plan to retire in the next five years: 1. Consider the role of work in retirement Decide whether some kind of work is realistically part of your retirement plan. That income stream can make your retirement spending simpler, but it shouldn't be the linchpin of your whole plan. That's because you may not be able to work even if you want to. 2. Track your expenses Understand what you're actually spending today and see whether your spending will change over the next few years and into retirement. Getting a grasp of your future spending needs will help you determine whether your plan is on track. 3. Check up on Social Security For most people, Social Security is a key source of income in retirement. Create an account on the Social Security website and make sure they have your correct information. This will let you model out different Social Security claiming dates using your own information. 4. Assess your current retirement savings Look at your spending and subtract Social Security to get a sense of what you'll need from your portfolio. If your spending doesn't align with roughly 4% or less of your portfolio, you may need to make some changes. Consider saving more, investing differently, putting off your planned retirement date, or adjusting how much you plan to spend in retirement. 5. Derisk your portfolio As you get within 10 years of retirement, you'll want to make sure that your asset allocation can help protect your retirement plan from getting derailed by market volatility. If equity losses happen early on in your retirement, you can spend from your safer assets and wait until the market recovers to pull from your stock portfolio. By thinking about retirement preemptively, you'll have a better sense of when you want to retire and what you want it to be like. Plus, you can make any course corrections needed to make it happen. ___ This article was provided to The Associated Press by Morningstar. For more personal finance content, go to