Four women have filed a lawsuit against Amazon, alleging that the company discriminated against pregnant warehouse employees by denying them basic accommodations such as bathroom breaks and the option to sit while working. The lawsuit, filed on September 8, 2026, in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York, seeks to represent Amazon workers across the United States.
The plaintiffs—Willamina Barclay, Kristina Green, Jennifer Hatch, and Dazaria Parks—claim that they were unlawfully terminated from their jobs at Amazon facilities in New York between April 2025 and July 2026 after requesting pregnancy-related accommodations. According to the lawsuit, Amazon denied requests for basic modifications recognized by law, including bathroom breaks, an extra 15-minute break, and the option to sit instead of stand.
The lawsuit states that after taking medically necessary breaks or absences to visit doctors or go to the emergency room, the plaintiffs faced punitive actions from Amazon, including deductions from their unpaid time off, leading to threats of termination.
In response to the lawsuit, Amazon stated that it contains inaccuracies and denied violating federal law regarding pregnancy accommodations. The company expressed its commitment to resolving the matter promptly, emphasizing that extended investigation timelines are not beneficial for employees or employers.
The lawsuit is backed by the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), a federal law enacted in 2022 that requires reasonable accommodations for employees affected by pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, or related medical conditions, as long as it does not create undue hardship for the employer.
The plaintiffs allege that Amazon demanded medical documentation for even basic accommodation requests, which can take weeks to obtain. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has indicated that it is unreasonable to require such documentation for common pregnancy-related requests, including additional bathroom breaks and sitting while working.
Hatch's claims have been evaluated by the EEOC, which found reasonable cause that Amazon discriminated against a nationwide class of female warehouse associates based on their pregnancy. The EEOC is currently seeking to reach an agreement with Amazon regarding these findings.
The lawsuit also highlights previous legal actions against Amazon, including a lawsuit filed by the state of New Jersey in October 2025, alleging widespread discrimination against pregnant workers and employees with disabilities. Amazon reported $200.6 billion in net sales and a net income of $62.6 billion in the second quarter of 2026.
The plaintiffs are represented by A Better Balance, a nonprofit advocacy group, and are seeking reinstatement, back pay, compensation for lost benefits, and punitive damages. The lawsuit details specific instances of alleged discrimination, including claims that Barclay was forced to stand for long periods and was fired after calling out of work due to severe vomiting, despite providing a doctor’s note.
Hatch, classified as high-risk during her pregnancy, also faced challenges in her role due to her condition, with the lawsuit alleging that Amazon refused to approve her requests for accommodations despite her willingness to perform lighter tasks.
The lawsuit seeks to represent a nationwide class of Amazon workers and a subclass of New York-based workers.