OpenAI Will Pay $3.2 Million to Resolve U.S. Hiring Discrimination Case

Settlement Reached Between OpenAI and U.S. Department of Justice

According to НВ — Техно: The U.S. Department of Justice has agreed to settle with OpenAI and one of its subsidiaries for $3.2 million over allegations that the company discriminated against American candidates in hiring for positions tied to obtaining permanent work authorization for noncitizens. Federal officials said OpenAI may have given preferential treatment to workers holding temporary work visas, which prompted the investigation.

Hiring Process Violations

The violations involved recruitment practices: OpenAI failed to list the relevant openings on its official website, insisted on mailed paper applications, and yet accepted online submissions for other roles. The company also aired job announcements on radio during nighttime hours, which limited the reach of information about employment opportunities.

As part of the settlement, OpenAI has committed to:

• posting such job openings on its website;
• accepting digital applications;
• providing employee training.

Of the total $3.2 million, $1.2 million will go toward a civil penalty, while $2 million will be placed into a dedicated fund to compensate American candidates. The Justice Department will also review applications from any U.S. residents who believe they were affected, with payments reserved for those who applied but never received adequate consideration.

This agreement sits within a broader pattern: in 2021 Meta signed a multimillion-dollar settlement after litigation over the H-1B visa program, and in 2023 Apple reached a similar resolution over comparable hiring-practice claims.

The deal underscores how seriously U.S. authorities treat hiring-law compliance and reinforces that all applicants deserve fair consideration. It also serves as a reminder that major technology firms must keep their recruitment procedures transparent and non-discriminatory.

As OpenAI navigates the complexities of its recent settlement, it finds itself in the spotlight alongside other tech giants facing scrutiny over similar practices. Notably, Apple has also expanded its legal challenges against OpenAI regarding trade secrets, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the tech industry related to hiring and employment practices. This convergence of legal issues underscores the critical importance of compliance with hiring laws across the sector.