New York State Requires Companies to Disclose AI-Related Job Losses, But None Have Told the Truth
A year ago, New York state made a move to shed light on how companies are handling layoffs in the face of technological innovation and automation. Under new rules, businesses with 50 or more employees must now provide an explanation for job losses when filing paperwork with the state. One of the options they can choose from is "technological innovation or automation." And while it's been a year since this option was added to the required question on Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filings, none of the major companies in New York have admitted to using AI as the reason for their workforce cuts.
Over 160 large companies have filed notices of mass layoffs since last March. However, not a single one has attributed its job loss to technological innovation or automation. This is despite many companies celebrating offloading repetitive tasks such as customer service, sales, and accounting to AI systems over the past couple of years.
Governor Kathy Hochul ordered the New York Department of Labor to ask whether AI had been the impetus for layoffs. To achieve this, she added a new option to WARN filings, which also includes "bankruptcy," "merger," "relocation," and "other." The goal is for companies to provide more information about how automation or technological innovation led to job losses.
However, despite Governor Hochul's efforts, it seems like the major players are dodging this question. Companies such as Amazon, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley have not admitted to using AI in their layoffs. Some of these companies even claimed that the purpose was economic restructuring, relocation, or bankruptcy rather than automation or technological innovation.
It is believed that only employees outside of New York might be pushed out by AI. According to an analysis by job search firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, nearly 55,000 US companies attributed job cuts to adoption of AI last year.
As some lawmakers and labor experts are pushing for more regulations on the matter, others believe that it's time to provide a better explanation of how automation affects jobs.
A year ago, New York state made a move to shed light on how companies are handling layoffs in the face of technological innovation and automation. Under new rules, businesses with 50 or more employees must now provide an explanation for job losses when filing paperwork with the state. One of the options they can choose from is "technological innovation or automation." And while it's been a year since this option was added to the required question on Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filings, none of the major companies in New York have admitted to using AI as the reason for their workforce cuts.
Over 160 large companies have filed notices of mass layoffs since last March. However, not a single one has attributed its job loss to technological innovation or automation. This is despite many companies celebrating offloading repetitive tasks such as customer service, sales, and accounting to AI systems over the past couple of years.
Governor Kathy Hochul ordered the New York Department of Labor to ask whether AI had been the impetus for layoffs. To achieve this, she added a new option to WARN filings, which also includes "bankruptcy," "merger," "relocation," and "other." The goal is for companies to provide more information about how automation or technological innovation led to job losses.
However, despite Governor Hochul's efforts, it seems like the major players are dodging this question. Companies such as Amazon, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley have not admitted to using AI in their layoffs. Some of these companies even claimed that the purpose was economic restructuring, relocation, or bankruptcy rather than automation or technological innovation.
It is believed that only employees outside of New York might be pushed out by AI. According to an analysis by job search firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, nearly 55,000 US companies attributed job cuts to adoption of AI last year.
As some lawmakers and labor experts are pushing for more regulations on the matter, others believe that it's time to provide a better explanation of how automation affects jobs.
. I mean, we're living in a world where companies have been trying to offload repetitive tasks to AI systems for years now, but they still can't bring themselves to admit that it's the reason for job losses. It's like they're playing dumb 
. And the fact that major players are dodging this question is just ridiculous. I think Governor Hochul's move was a great idea, and it's time for companies to be more transparent about how automation affects their workforce.
. That raises so many questions about job security and worker rights. We need more regulations in place to protect workers' interests. I'm not sure what the solution is, but we need to have a bigger conversation about this ASAP 
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. Like, what’s up with these big companies just denying any involvement with AI in their layoffs? You guys are basically using the "we didn't say it was AI" card to avoid telling us the truth about how automation is changing the job landscape. It's not like they're trying to hide something nefarious... or are they 
? I mean, we know AI is taking over some jobs but come on, be honest about it! Can't these companies just admit that automation is a thing and we need to start adjusting our skills accordingly? 
that New York is trying to shine a light on companies using AI to cut jobs. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we know you guys are automating stuff and laying off people, so tell us the truth!" 
It's like they're trying to hide something! Companies just gonna keep on using AI to automate stuff without even giving us a heads up? 
what about them? Don't they deserve some answers? 
companies have been talking about how it's gonna change the game for years now! 
"Economic restructuring" this, and "relocation" that... 
We deserve better than that.
But in the meantime, let's just say I'm not feeling too optimistic about these companies' honesty 
And now we're hearing that even employees outside of NY might be getting the axe because of AI? That's just unacceptable 
I'm so tired of seeing big corps dodging this question 
. It's time for some real transparency and accountability from these companies! 
All this dodging makes me wonder if there's even a real difference between "restructuring" and "automation". What's next? Are they gonna tell us the reason for all those layoffs is actually just "the robots took over"? 
. And what's with Governor Hochul trying to get them to admit the truth? Is she just not tough enough on these companies? 
I think some kinda stricter regulations are in order, maybe even a fine or something if they're not being transparent about it 
. It's like, we need to know what's really going on here and how this tech is impacting our jobs and communities 
. Can we trust companies to be honest about this? 
. Some lawmakers are totally on the case, pushing for more transparency about how automation affects jobs. I think we need to have a bigger conversation about the impact of AI on our workforce and make sure that workers are protected 
What's really going on here? Are they scared of admitting the truth or what? 
I think it's time for some transparency 
️. Are they trying to avoid accountability or something? It's not like this is a new concept – we've been talking about this for years! 
I mean, who wants to admit they're relying on robots to do their jobs? It's like saying you got laid off because your boss was a robot and just wanted someone else for themselves... yeah right 
. We need more transparency and accountability from companies on this issue 
.
We need more transparency, especially from big corporations. I mean, if you're gonna use AI to replace humans, then at least have the decency to admit it and maybe even provide some solutions for the people who are losing their jobs.
. We need to get to the bottom of this!