- HR Software Company Faces AI Bias Lawsuit
- Report: More Companies Eliminating Degree Requirements
- Study Ties Toxic Workplaces to Increased Mental Health Risks
- Walmart to Cut 1,500 Jobs
HR Software Company Faces AI Bias Lawsuit
Workday is facing a collective action lawsuit (Mobley v. Workday, Inc.) that alleges its job applicant screening technology is discriminatory, according to a report by CNN.
Last year, Derek Mobley sued the human resources software company, claiming Workday’s algorithms caused him to be rejected from more than 100 jobs on the platform over seven years because of his age, race and disabilities. Four other plaintiffs have since joined with age discrimination allegations.
On Friday, May 16, a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California allowed the case to proceed as a collective action suit.
“If the collective is in the ‘hundreds of millions’ of people, as Workday speculates, that is because Workday has been plausibly accused of discriminating against a broad swath of applicants. Allegedly widespread discrimination is not a basis for denying notice,” Judge Rita Lin ruled.
The class will include individuals aged 40 and over who were denied employment recommendations for job opportunities through Workday’s job application platform from Sept. 24, 2020, through the present, the court said.
Workday has denied the claims that its technology is discriminatory. In a statement, a Workday spokesperson noted that the order is a “preliminary, procedural ruling … that relies on allegations, not evidence.”
“We continue to believe this case is without merit,” the spokesperson said. “We’re confident that once Workday is permitted to defend itself with the facts, the plaintiff’s claims will be dismissed.”
Report: More Companies Eliminating Degree Requirements
According to a survey of 1,000 hiring managers by career website ResumeTemplates, 1 in 4 companies will stop requiring a bachelor’s degree for some roles by the end of this year.
Additionally, 69% of the surveyed hiring managers said their company prioritizes relevant experience over a bachelor’s degree when making hiring decisions.
Among companies that eliminated degree requirements in 2024 or 2025, two-thirds did so for entry-level roles, 54% for mid-level positions and 23% for senior-level jobs. While 54% of hiring managers said “a lot” of roles at their company still require a bachelor’s degree, 34% said only some do, 10% said just a few require one and 1% said none do.
Overall, 84% of the surveyed hiring managers said removing degree requirements was successful for their company. When asked how the change helped, 83% said it led to a surge in applications, 54% said it resulted in a more diverse workforce and 28% said it allowed them to offer lower salaries.
“Over the last five years, we’ve seen large organizations drop degree requirements in favor of certifications or experience, and now others are following suit,” said Julia Toothacre, the chief career strategist at ResumeTemplates. “For employers, it expands the talent pool and generates positive [public relations]. For candidates, it opens doors for those who can’t afford a degree or choose a different path. These jobs have the potential to lift people out of poverty.”
Study Ties Toxic Workplaces to Increased Mental Health Risks
A staggering 47% of employees are more likely to experience a mental health issue when working in a toxic workplace, according to Businessolver’s ninth annual State of Workplace Empathy study.
However, the report by the benefits and HR technology solutions provider found CEOs hold a more optimistic view about how their mental health is supported at work, with 94% saying their organization has created a safe environment for employees to come forward about their mental health experiences. Yet, only 76% of employees share this view.
Overall, in 2025, 50% of employees report mental health issues, but burnout (61%) and loneliness (37%) are more likely at unempathetic organizations, while anxiety (74%) and depression (59%) remain fairly equal.
Most surveyed employees (61%), regardless of empathy perceptions at work, agreed that they’re ready to leave their current organization for one that has better mental health benefits.
Additional key finding include:
- Employees at unempathetic organizations are more than twice as likely (27% vs. 12%) to face mental health struggles alone rather than seeking help.
- Fear of career repercussions is significantly higher in unempathetic workplaces (66% vs. 50%), suggesting a culture where seeking help is seen as risky.
- Negative perceptions about mental health — both from employers and society — are more prevalent among employees at unempathetic organizations, reinforcing the stigma and likely contributing to silence and isolation.
Walmart to Cut 1,500 Jobs
As reported by CBS News, nearly 1,500 Walmart Global Tech jobs will be eliminated as part of restructuring efforts. The layoffs will impact corporate employees, not store associates.
“In Global Tech, we are evolving teams across the organization, with a focus on simplifying our structure to facilitate speed and innovation,” the memo stated. “The world of technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and reshaping our structure allows us to accelerate how we deliver and adapt to the changing environment around us.”
Headquartered in Bentonville, Ark., the retailer has approximately 1.6 million employees and 4,600 locations in the United States.
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