Russian Court Orders Reinstatement of Worker Replaced by AI

What happened

A woman employed as a purchasing manager at a Moscow textile company was fired after the company automated her tasks using AI programs. After one year in the position, the company transferred much of her work to automated AI systems, then proposed reducing her workday to two hours with a corresponding salary cut.

The worker rejected the reduced conditions and was dismissed. A Russian court ruled the dismissal illegal and ordered the company to reinstate her to her position and pay compensation.

Reported impact

The ruling was reported as Russia's first court case of its kind involving dismissal caused by AI automation, establishing a potential precedent for similar situations in the country.

Classification

Organizations

Textile company in Moscow (subject), Woman worker (victim)

Category

Governance, accountability and labour

Industry

Robots, sensors and IT hardware

Country

Russia

Harm status

Actual harm

Intent

Intentional

Timing

Post-deployment

Harm types

Economic or property, Human or fundamental rights

Harmed

Workers

Consequences

Litigation

AI systems

Automated IA programs

Sources and evidence