Four workers sue Amazon

Four former warehouse employees filed a class-action lawsuit claiming Amazon denied them simple accommodations like extra bathroom breaks and chairs during pregnancy.

“Amazon denied them basic modifications the law recognizes pregnant workers regularly need”

Penalized for medical absences

When workers took breaks or missed work for doctor visits and emergency care, Amazon deducted hours from their unpaid time off balance. Once exhausted, workers faced termination.

“After the plaintiffs took medically necessary breaks or absences to get off their feet, visit the doctor, or go to the emergency room, they were punished”

Amazon disputes the claims

Amazon denied violating federal law and stated that the lawsuit contains inaccuracies. The company said it looks forward to resolving the matter quickly.

A new law strengthens the suit

The lawsuit relies on the 2022 Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The federal law requires employers to grant reasonable accommodations unless doing so causes undue hardship.

Demanding excessive paperwork

The lawsuit alleges Amazon forced workers to provide doctor notes for basic requests like water or sitting. Federal guidance says paperwork is unnecessary for such common needs.

“Amazon applied its unlawful policy of demanding medical paperwork for every pregnancy-related accommodation request, no matter how basic”

EEOC finds reasonable cause

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigated a plaintiff's claim and found cause that Amazon discriminated nationwide against pregnant associates.

Attendance rules used as punishment

The lawsuit accuses Amazon of retaliating against pregnant employees by using its strict attendance policies to discipline or fire those who requested help.

Amazon claims high approval rate

Amazon stated that it supports tens of thousands of pregnant workers annually, approving over 99.9% of accommodation requests and offering paid leave.

“In the past year, more than 99.9 percent of pregnancy related accommodations requests have been approved”

Denied a chair while packing

Plaintiff Willamina Barclay was denied a chair despite doctor notes while working as a packer. She was fired days after missing a shift due to severe vomiting.

Forced to lift heavy boxes

Plaintiff Jennifer Hatch had a high-risk pregnancy and asked for a 30-pound lifting cap and short sitting breaks. Managers refused and ordered her to keep lifting heavy items.

“site-level managers ordered her to lift heavy boxes and refused her short breaks when she felt lightheaded.”