Report: New Jersey Sues Amazon for Pregnancy Discrimination, Disability Discrimination
On October 22nd, 2025, Reuters reported that the State of New Jersey has filed an employment discrimination lawsuit against Amazon. Regulators allege, among other things, pregnancy discrimination and disability discrimination at a New Jersey-based distribution facility. In this article, our New Jersey employment attorney provides a more comprehensive overview of the case.
Employment Discrimination Lawsuit: Alleged Discrimination at Amazon
The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against Amazon. State officials allege widespread discrimination against pregnant and disabled warehouse workers in the state. The specific allegations include purported violations of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. According to the complaint, Amazon denied reasonable accommodations (reduced lifting duties, additional rest breaks, modified tasks, etc.) to women who were pregnant and to employees with disabilities.
Notably, New Jersey contends that the workers who made such requests were placed on unpaid leave while their accommodations were pending. They were sometimes terminated shortly afterward for failing to meet rigid productivity quotas. The complaint asserts this is not isolated behavior but a systemic pattern across dozens of fulfillment centers employing roughly 50,000 workers in New Jersey. For its part, Amazon denies any wrongdoing.
What to Know About Reasonable Accommodations or Pregnant and Disabled Workers
Federal law and New Jersey law both required covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees who are pregnant or have disabilities unless doing so would create an undue hardship. Broadly explained, a reasonable accommodation is any change that enables a worker to perform essential job duties safely. Some of the most common examples include:
- Modified schedules;
- Reassignment to lighter tasks;
- Permission to sit or take breaks; and
- Temporary leave for medical appointments or recovery.
The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act both require employers to engage in an interactive process to identify suitable accommodations. Employers should document all requests, evaluate each case individually, and communicate openly with the employee and their health care provider.
No Specific Accommodation is Required (Interactive Bargaining Process)
It is important to emphasize that employers in New Jersey are not required to grant a specific accommodation requested by a pregnant or disabled employee. What the law requires is a good-faith, interactive process between the employer and the employee to determine what adjustments are reasonable and effective. A dialogue should always focus on the specific circumstances of the case, such as how the worker’s condition affects essential job functions and what alternatives might allow continued performance. Employers absolutely have the right to propose different accommodations if they achieve the same result without undue hardship. However, the process must remain collaborative, timely, and free from retaliation or pressure that discourages employees from requesting help for their pregnancy or disability.
Speak to Our New Jersey Employment Lawyer for Discrimination Claims Today
At Poulos LoPiccolo PC, our New Jersey employment attorney has the skills and experience to handle discrimination claims, including pregnancy discrimination cases and disability discrimination cases. Contact us today for your confidential consultation. We provide employment law representation statewide in New Jersey.
Source:
reuters.com/business/world-at-work/new-jersey-claims-amazon-discriminated-against-pregnant-disabled-warehouse-2025-10-22/
