NEW YORK – Amazon.com was sued on Tuesday in a proposed nationwide class action accusing the retailer of systematically discriminating against thousands of pregnant employees, including by firing some it claimed took too much time off.
According to a complaint filed by four former warehouse employees, Amazon routinely violates federal and New York worker-protection laws by denying pregnant workers basic accommodations such as chairs, bathroom and water breaks, and time off for prenatal appointments.
The complaint said Amazon threatens and regularly fires pregnant employees who miss too much work, and illegally demands medical documentation from those seeking accommodations. It said these actions violate the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and New York labor law.
“Amazon is one of this country’s largest employers, [and] it is no surprise that many of its workers become pregnant,” according to the complaint filed in the Brooklyn, New York, federal court. “Yet Amazon violates the law at every turn.”
Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson, said the retailer provides pregnancy-related accommodations to tens of thousands of employees annually, and approved more than 99.9% of requests in the last year. “Ensuring the health and well-being of our employees is one of our greatest responsibilities,” she said.
The lawsuit seeks lost pay and benefits, punitive damages, and an injunction against discrimination against pregnant employees.
Amazon has long faced complaints in court...
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