tech
OpenAI Reaches $3.2 Million Settlement with DOJ Over Claims It Discriminated Against US Workers
OpenAI disputes the Justice Department's view, but said it wanted to move forward with a program to support employees "requiring immigration support."
TL;DR
- OpenAI and its subsidiary Statsig will pay $3.2 million to settle with the Justice Department.
- The settlement resolves allegations of discriminating against U.S. workers by favoring temporary visa holders.
- Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated that discriminating against U.S. workers by preferring visa holders is illegal.
- OpenAI disagreed with the DOJ's findings but settled to proceed with its PERM program for employees needing immigration support.
- The Justice Department found "reasonable cause" to believe the companies made it difficult for U.S. workers to apply for jobs targeted for foreign workers via the PERM process.
- The PERM program requires companies to prove they cannot find U.S. workers for a job before sponsoring temporary visa holders for permanent status.
- Alleged failures included not posting some jobs on external sites, not advertising on the radio, and requiring paper applications for PERM positions while allowing electronic applications for others.
- Of the settlement, $1.2 million is in civil penalties, and $2 million will compensate victims.
- The resolution amount reflects the harm to U.S. workers shut out of lucrative technology jobs.