Four former Amazon warehouse workers filed a lawsuit in federal court in New York, alleging that the company’s practices toward pregnant employees violated the 2022 Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
In their filing, the plaintiffs asked the court to allow the case to proceed as a nationwide class action. The complaint alleges that the company systematically discriminated against pregnant employees.
Allegations in the complaint
The filing alleges that some employees were penalized for requesting time off for hospital visits or for taking necessary breaks as mothers with babies.
The plaintiffs also alleged that managers at an Amazon warehouse refused to provide a pregnant employee with a stool and denied her restroom breaks. The case file also alleges that pregnant employees were not provided with basic accommodations.
Amazon denied the allegations
Amazon rejected the allegations in a statement. The company said that the events were inaccurately portrayed in the complaint.
Scope of the 2022 law
The 2022 Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, passed by the U.S. Congress with bipartisan support, took effect in June 2023.
The law requires employers with at least 15 employees to provide reasonable accommodations for medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth.