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State Files Lawsuit Against Amazon

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin filed a lawsuit against Amazon on Wednesday, alleging widespread discrimination against pregnant employees and staffers with disabilities at multiple warehouses across the state. The complaint, lodged in Essex County Superior Court, claims that Amazon violated state anti-discrimination laws by mishandling accommodation requests and retaliating against workers who sought them.

“This egregious conduct has caused enormous harm to pregnant workers and workers with disabilities in New Jersey, and it must stop now,” Platkin said in a statement.

Allegations of Unpaid Leave and Retaliation

The lawsuit stems from a multi-year investigation by New Jersey’s Civil Rights Division. According to the complaint, Amazon has, since October 2015, allegedly subjected employees to unpaid leave when they requested accommodations, delayed responses unreasonably, and, in some cases, terminated staff who sought adjustments.

Several incidents cited in the complaint detail employees who were granted accommodations — such as lighter lifting limits and additional breaks — only to be fired shortly afterward for “failing to meet productivity targets.” One employee, allowed to lift no more than 15 pounds and take extra breaks, was reportedly terminated less than a month later for not meeting packing numbers.

Another case involved a pregnant employee whose accommodation request was closed due to supposed missing medical paperwork. Despite her attempts to resubmit, she allegedly received multiple warnings for “poor productivity” and was fired. Amazon later reinstated her with back pay after an internal review.

Amazon’s Response

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel denied the allegations, stating, “Accusations that we don’t follow federal and state laws are simply not true. Ensuring the health and well-being of our employees is our top priority.”

The company added that it approves over 99% of pregnancy accommodation requests and does not automatically place pregnant workers on leave. Amazon also said that performance evaluations consider safe and achievable expectations, peer performance, and tenure rather than fixed quotas.

Legal Remedies and Potential Impact

The New Jersey lawsuit seeks compensatory damages, civil fines, and court orders requiring Amazon to reform its accommodation policies, submit to monitoring, and provide detailed reporting for five years.

The complaint argues that Amazon’s practices systematically push pregnant and disabled workers out of its workforce, directly violating the state’s Law Against Discrimination.

Broader Scrutiny of Amazon

This lawsuit adds to growing scrutiny over Amazon’s treatment of frontline workers. The company, the nation’s second-largest private employer, has faced multiple lawsuits alleging similar discrimination.

In 2022, New York’s Division of Human Rights filed a complaint against Amazon for allegedly discriminating against pregnant and disabled workers. Additionally, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission opened an investigation last year after six U.S. senators raised concerns about potential mistreatment.

Amazon has consistently emphasized that it prioritizes worker safety and compliance but has refrained from commenting on ongoing litigation.

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The New Jersey case highlights a systemic challenge for Amazon as it continues to scale its warehouse operations while facing mounting legal and regulatory pressure. With thousands of employees potentially affected, the lawsuit could set a precedent for how major corporations accommodate pregnant and disabled workers across the United States.