Musk Admits More Layoffs Among 50s and 60s, US Court Rules

"Federal Law Prohibits Age Discrimination in the Workplace"

After Elon Musk acquired the former Twitter (now X), a U.S. court ruled that employees aged 50 and over appeared to be more affected by the mass layoffs.

On the 30th (local time), according to the New York Post and others, U.S. District Judge Susan Ilston of California made this judgment in a class-action lawsuit filed by former X employees including John Zeman against the company. Zeman claimed that 60% of employees aged 50 and over and about three-quarters of employees aged 60 and over were laid off.

Elon Musk. [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

Judge Ilston stated, "Sufficient evidence has been provided that the mass layoffs had a greater impact on older employees," and rejected X's argument that the lawsuit should be dismissed.

She added, "Under federal law prohibiting age discrimination in the workplace, the plaintiffs can file a class-action lawsuit claiming so-called 'disparate impact,'" ruling that the lawsuit is valid.

However, Judge Ilston did not accept the claim that X intentionally targeted older employees for layoffs at this stage. Nevertheless, she gave the plaintiffs a one-month deadline to specify such claims and file an amended lawsuit.

The plaintiffs welcomed the decision, saying, "This court ruling proves that our 'discrimination' claims related to the mass layoffs can continue through litigation."

From 7,500 employees to 2,500... Some unaware of layoff reasons

Earlier, after Musk acquired X, about two-thirds of the entire workforce was laid off at the end of last year. As a result, the number of employees dropped significantly from 7,500 to around 2,500.

At that time, layoff notices were sent across almost all departments, including engineering, machine learning, AI ethics, sales, advertising, marketing, and the Trust & Safety team responsible for content management. The layoff emails did not include specific reasons for termination, drawing criticism.

In this regard, X is known to have faced about 12 lawsuits related to the mass layoffs last year. Some former employees claimed that X laid off employees and contractors without mandatory prior notice, while others filed lawsuits alleging that Musk forced them out by not allowing remote work and demanding 'hardcore' work around the clock.

Layoff 'cold wind'... UN warns "Human rights management needed"

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the United Nations also expressed concern over Musk's enforcement of mass layoffs. Volker T?rk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated in an open letter last November, "As the new owner of Twitter, you bear enormous responsibility related to the platform’s role as a digital space where people discuss thoughts and ideologies, worries, and lives."

He continued, "Like all other companies, you must understand the risks associated with the platform and take measures to address them," emphasizing, "In summary, respect for human rights must be at the core of Twitter’s management."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.