{
  "id": 163926,
  "title": "OpenAI pays $3.2m to settle claims it discriminated against US workers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/openai-pays-3-2m-to-settle-claims-it-discriminated-against-us-workers",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-05T00:47:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Business",
    "slug": "guardian-business",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/04/openai-worker-discrimination-claims-settlement"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "OpenAI and its subsidiary Statsig have agreed to pay $3.2 million to settle accusations from the US Justice Department that they discriminated against American workers. The companies allegedly favored foreign applicants for temporary employment visas over domestic job seekers. They did this by recruiting these foreign workers for certain positions, discouraging US workers from applying, and refusing to post these openings on external websites. The Justice Department claimed that both firms violated the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, which prohibits discrimination based on nationality. While there were only a few job positions involved, the settlement's size reflects the significant harm OpenAI's practices caused to US workers. In addition to the $1.2 million in penalties, $2 million was set aside for compensation to those affected. OpenAI committed to revising its hiring policies, providing employee training, and subjecting itself to ongoing monitoring by the Justice Department.",
  "summary": "OpenAI and its subsidiary Statsig will pay $3.2m to settle US government claims that they discriminated against US job applicants. According to the US justice department, the company favored foreign workers with temporary employment visas in recruiting and hiring. OpenAI and Statsig recruited foreign workers for some open positions and took steps to discourage US workers from applying.\n\nThe justice department alleged that this was illegal, as it discriminated against US workers by preferring temporary visa holders for jobs. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated that the settlement ensures OpenAI redresses harm and changes its recruitment practices so that US workers receive a fair opportunity for highly sought-after technology positions.\n\nOpenAI disagreed with the justice department's findings but settled the matter to move forward with a program to support employees requiring immigration support. The company stated that its mission is to ensure that AGI benefits all of humanity.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Economic Times Tech",
        "title": "OpenAI pays $3.2 million in US probe over hiring foreign workers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/openai-pays-3-2-million-in-us-probe-over-hiring-foreign-workers-144107",
        "published": "2026-08-04T19:14:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "OpenAI pays $3.2 million in US probe over hiring foreign workers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/openai-pays-3-2-million-in-us-probe-over-hiring-foreign-workers",
        "published": "2026-08-04T19:16:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Guardian Technology",
        "title": "OpenAI pays $3.2m to settle claims it discriminated against US workers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/openai-pays-3-2m-to-settle-claims-it-discriminated-against-us-workers-164065",
        "published": "2026-08-05T00:47:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Tech in Asia",
        "title": "OpenAI pays $3.2m to settle US hiring probe",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/openai-pays-3-2m-to-settle-us-hiring-probe",
        "published": "2026-08-05T04:37:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}