Amazon accused of violating worker-protection laws, firing pregnant employees
Amazon is facing a class-action lawsuit alleging systemic discrimination against pregnant employees, including the denial of basic accommodations and wrongful termination. The company has denied the claims, citing a high approval rate for accommodation requests.
Why it matters
This case highlights ongoing labor disputes regarding worker rights and corporate compliance with the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
Amazon is facing a proposed nationwide class action lawsuit that accuses the retailer of systematically discriminating against thousands of pregnant employees. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, this includes the e-tailer giant firing some workers after they allegedly took too much time off.Four former warehouse employees filed the lawsuit in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, alleging that Amazon routinely denied pregnant workers basic accommodations such as chairs, bathroom and water breaks and time off for prenatal appointments. The complaint claims the practices violate the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and New York labour law.Amazon accused of violating pregnancy worker-protection lawsA Better Balance, a nonprofit that advocates for workers' rights, filed the lawsuit on September 8.
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