The Journal: Is an Algorithm Blocking Your Job Search? One Man Is Trying to Find Out
Released August 14, 2025
Introduction
In this compelling episode of The Journal, hosted by Annie Minoff and Lauren Weber, listeners delve into the intricate world of job searching in the digital age. The episode centers around Derek Mobley, a man whose persistent job rejections led him to suspect that automated algorithms were hindering his employment prospects. This suspicion propelled him into a legal battle against Workday, a major player in HR and recruiting software, potentially affecting millions of job seekers worldwide.
Derek Mobley's Journey
Initial Employment and Layoff
The story begins with Derek Mobley, an IT professional who was passionate about his job, as Annie Minoff recounts:
"Derek was laid off in 2017. After that, he picked himself up and embarked on a common and frustrating experience—the modern job hunt."
[00:40] Annie Minoff
Derek shared his experience of applying to over 150 job opportunities without receiving a single callback:
"Really? None."
[00:59] Derek Mobley
The repeated rejections were both financially and emotionally taxing for Derek, pushing him to continue his search relentlessly for nine months.
The Discovery of Automated Rejection
A turning point occurred when Derek received an email response at an unusual time:
"One day I was looking at my phone and I got an email. And it was at a very odd time of the day... That basically was the watershed moment."
[01:27] Derek Mobley
This odd timing led him to the unsettling realization that his applications were likely being processed by bots rather than human recruiters.
"This is definitely a bot."
[01:58] Lauren Weber
Derek began to suspect that algorithms were systematically filtering out his applications, sparking questions about the transparency and fairness of these automated systems.
The Role of Algorithms in Modern Recruiting
Understanding Recruitment Algorithms
Lauren Weber explains the prevalence of artificial intelligence in recruitment:
"It is ubiquitous... we're talking about algorithms. The basic system is a simple keyword match."
[03:42] Lauren Weber
Applications are often filtered based on keyword matches related to the job description, with platforms like Workday being at the forefront.
Workday's Influence
Workday, a widely used HR and recruiting platform, categorizes applicants into four groups: strong, good, fair, or low match based on their application:
"We put them into these categories... we believe in ethical technology, ethical artificial intelligence."
[06:16] Lauren Weber
However, for users like Derek, the process feels impersonal and automated, lacking human interaction and feedback.
Challenges Faced by Derek Mobley
Personal Factors Influencing Rejections
Derek pondered whether personal attributes such as his race, age, or disabilities were influencing the algorithm's decisions:
"I think it's a combination of things... disability, age, you know, race, for example."
[08:00] Derek Mobley
He even went as far as removing his graduation date from his resume in an attempt to mitigate potential age discrimination:
"I was trying to do the best I can to get a fair shake."
[09:04] Derek Mobley
Despite Workday's claims that their algorithms do not account for protected demographic information, Derek remained unconvinced and noticed a consistent pattern of rejections.
Legal Action Against Workday
Filing the Lawsuit
Frustrated by the lack of responses and consistent rejections, Derek filed a lawsuit against Workday in 2023, alleging that their hiring algorithms discriminated against him based on age, race, and disability:
"My contention is that it's the platform that's part of the problem."
[10:51] Derek Mobley
Workday's Defense
Workday has staunchly defended their platform, stating:
"Derek's lawsuit is without merit... its recruiting tools don't make hiring decisions."
[11:17] Annie Minoff
The company seeks to have the case dismissed, arguing that hiring decisions remain the sole responsibility of their clients.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Class Action
A judge allowed Derek's case to proceed on the basis of age discrimination, leaving room for Derek to present his arguments based on disparate impact:
"It's the outcome that matters."
[12:04] Lauren Weber
If successful, this lawsuit could expand into a class action, potentially involving millions of individuals who applied for jobs through Workday's platform between 2020 and 2025.
Impact and Public Reaction
Derek’s Personal Victory and Ongoing Battle
Despite the prolonged legal battle, Derek eventually secured employment in 2019 through traditional, human-driven recruitment methods:
"This really came through kind of the old fashioned way."
[14:50] Annie Minoff
His employment journey highlights the stark contrast between automated and personal hiring processes. While Derek has since thrived in his new role, his lawsuit against Workday continues, aiming to bring transparency and fairness to the job application process.
Public Support and Concerns
Lauren Weber reported significant public support for Derek, with many listeners expressing their own frustrations with automated hiring systems and considering joining the lawsuit:
"There are a lot of people out there who are convinced that the job market is not fair."
[17:17] Annie Minoff
This widespread concern underscores a growing distrust in algorithm-driven recruitment and a demand for more equitable hiring practices.
Conclusion
Derek Mobley's pursuit of justice against Workday shines a light on the hidden algorithms that govern modern job searches. His case challenges the reliance on automated systems in hiring, advocating for greater accountability and transparency. As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome could reshape the future of recruitment, ensuring that every job seeker's application is evaluated fairly and without bias.
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