Former Amazon employees file lawsuit alleging discrimination against pregnant employees

A group of former Amazon warehouse workers has filed a lawsuit accusing the company of systematic discrimination against pregnant workers.

In the case file, it was claimed that "basic facilities were not provided" to pregnant employees, and that employees who asked for leave for some hospital visits or mothers with babies who took a break were punished.

In the lawsuit filed in a federal court in New York, four women proposed a nationwide class-action lawsuit against Amazon, accusing it of violating the Fair Treatment of Pregnant Employees Act of 2022.

On the other hand, in the statement made by Amazon, while the allegations were rejected, it was claimed that the description of the events in the petition was incorrect.

Plaintiffs accused managers at the Amazon warehouse of violating federal law by refusing to provide a pregnant employee with a stool or give her a bathroom break.

The Pregnant Employees Fair Treatment Act of 2022 was passed by the US Congress with bipartisan support and went into effect in June 2023.

This law requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide a "reasonable accommodation" for medical conditions related to pregnancy and birth.