Amazon is facing a proposed nationwide class-action lawsuit that accuses the company of systematically discriminating against thousands of pregnant employees. The suit, filed Tuesday in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, alleges that the retail giant routinely violates federal and New York worker-protection laws by denying pregnant workers basic accommodations and firing those who miss too much work.
According to the complaint filed by four former warehouse employees, Amazon allegedly denies pregnant workers essential accommodations such as chairs, bathroom and water breaks, and time off for prenatal appointments. The lawsuit claims these actions violate the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and New York labor law. It also states that Amazon illegally demands medical documentation from employees seeking accommodations.
One plaintiff, Willamina Barclay, claims she received a termination warning one day after being hospitalized with a pregnancy-related emergency. The complaint states that Barclay was suffering severe abdominal pain from lifting heavy objects, but Amazon cited the hospital visit and her work on that day as reasons for the warning, leading to her termination five days later.
"Amazon is one of this country’s largest employers, [and] it is no surprise that many of its workers become pregnant," the complaint reads. "Yet Amazon violates the law at every turn."
A Better Balance, a nonprofit advocating for workers' rights, filed the lawsuit. This action follows similar lawsuits filed against Amazon by New Jersey in November 2025 and by New York in 2022, both of which accused the company of widespread discrimination against pregnant employees and those with disabilities.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated that the company provides pregnancy-related accommodations to tens of thousands of employees annually and approved over 99.9% of requests last year. "Ensuring the health and well-being of our employees is one of our greatest responsibilities," Nantel said. She also commented that the plaintiffs' accounts "contain inaccuracies and omit important details."
The lawsuit seeks lost pay and benefits, punitive damages, and an injunction to prevent future discrimination against pregnant employees. Amazon, the second-largest U.S. private employer with 1.58 million employees as of the end of 2025, has a history of facing legal challenges regarding its treatment of workers, including issues related to unionization efforts.
Separately, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is planning to propose changes in November to regulations supporting the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas indicated in 2024 that current regulations for pregnant employees are too broad.