New Jersey's attorney general just filed a major lawsuit against Amazon, alleging the e-commerce giant systematically discriminated against thousands of pregnant workers and employees with disabilities across its warehouse network. The complaint follows a years-long state investigation and seeks unspecified damages plus court-ordered policy changes that could reshape how Amazon manages its massive frontline workforce.
New Jersey just dropped a legal bombshell on Amazon. Attorney General Matthew Platkin filed suit in Essex County Superior Court Wednesday, accusing the retail giant of systematically violating the rights of thousands of pregnant employees and workers with disabilities at warehouses across the state.
The timing couldn't be worse for Amazon, already facing federal scrutiny over worker treatment. The complaint stems from a multi-year investigation by New Jersey's civil rights division, which allegedly uncovered a pattern of discrimination dating back to October 2015.
According to court documents, Amazon's alleged violations run deep. The state claims the company routinely placed pregnant workers on unpaid leave when they requested accommodations, denied reasonable workplace modifications, and dragged its feet responding to worker requests. Even worse, investigators say Amazon retaliated against employees who sought help - including outright firing them.
The most damning allegations involve Amazon's productivity obsession. Workers who received accommodations were still allegedly terminated for "failing to meet the company's rigid productivity requirements," creating an impossible catch-22. One pregnant employee described in the lawsuit received approval to take extra breaks and avoid lifting items over 15 pounds. Less than a month later, she was fired for "not meeting packing numbers" - despite her accommodation explicitly requiring fewer packed items per shift.
"There's no excuse for Amazon's shameful treatment of pregnant workers and workers with disabilities," Platkin said in a statement. "Amazon's egregious conduct has caused enormous damage to pregnant workers and workers with disabilities in our state, and it must stop now."
Amazon pushed back hard. Spokesperson Kelly Nantel called the accusations "simply not true," emphasizing the company's commitment to employee health and safety. Amazon claims it approves more than 99% of pregnancy accommodation requests and denies automatically placing pregnant workers on leave.