Metlife Europe Designated Activity Company

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In a significant ruling on February 14, 2025, the Tribunal Judiciaire de Nanterre ordered MetLife Europe Designated Activity Company to suspend the deployment of several artificial intelligence tools until proper consultation with its Works Council (Comité Social et Économique - CSE) is completed.

The case arose when MetLife began implementing new AI applications, including "Finovox," "Synthesia," "Notify," "Semji," and "MetIQ," while the mandatory consultation process with the CSE was still ongoing. Despite the company's claim that these tools were merely in a "pilot phase," the court found that their deployment to employees constituted actual implementation rather than simple experimentation.

The CSE had initiated legal proceedings after repeatedly requesting consultation on the introduction of these AI tools. While MetLife started the formal consultation process on September 26, 2024, they continued deploying the applications before the CSE could deliver its opinion. The council filed an additional request for supplementary documentation and extended consultation time on November 19, 2024.

The court's decision emphasizes the importance of respecting employee representation rights in the digital transformation of workplaces. The judge ruled that MetLife's premature implementation of the AI tools constituted a "manifestly unlawful disturbance" of the CSE's prerogatives.

As a result, the court ordered:

• Immediate suspension of the AI tools' deployment until the consultation process is complete
• A penalty of 1,000 euros per violation for 90 days
• Payment of 5,000 euros to the CSE as provisional compensation for damage to its rights
• Payment of 2,000 euros for legal costs

This case sets an important precedent for companies implementing AI technologies in France, highlighting the necessity of proper employee consultation procedures before deploying new technological tools in the workplace.

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TRIBUNAL JUDICIAIRE DE NANTERRE

REFERES

ORDONNANCE DE REFERE RENDUE LE 14 FEVRIER 2025

N° RG 24/01457 - N° Portalis DB3R-W-B7I-ZSDB

N° de minute :

Comite Social et Economique de la société de METLIFE EUROPE DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY

METLIFE EUROPE DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY

DEMANDEUR

Comite Social et Economique de la société de METLIFE EUROPE DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY

Tour Ariane, 5 place de la pyramide 92800 PUTEAUX

représentée par Maître Juliette RENAULT de la SELARL DELL/EN Associes, avocats au barreau de PARIS, vestiaire : R260

DEFENDERESSE

Societe METLIFE EUROPE DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY

Tour Ariane 5, place de la Pyramide 92800 PUTEAUX

représentée par Maître Pierre-Alexis DUMONT de la SAS ACTANCE, avocats au barreau de PARIS, vestiaire: K0168

COMPOSITION DE LA JURIDICTION

Président: Vincent SIZAIRE, Vice-président, tenant !'audience des référés par délégation du Président du Tribunal,

Greffier: Pierre CHAUSSONNAUD, Greffier