A group of former Amazon warehouse workers has filed a proposed nationwide class action lawsuit in a federal court in Brooklyn, New York. The lawsuit claims that Amazon systematically discriminated against pregnant employees by denying them basic workplace accommodations and penalizing those who took necessary breaks to pump breast milk or took time off for medical visits. The four plaintiffs allege that the company violated the 2022 Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a federal law that requires employers with 15 or more workers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related health needs. Employers can only refuse such accommodations if they can prove it would cause "undue hardship." Inimai Chettiar, president of A Better Balance—a nonprofit advocacy group representing the plaintiffs—said that denying pregnant workers simple accommodations, such as a stool or a lighter workload, is a clear violation of federal law. Amazon has denied the claims, calling the lawsuit’s description of events inaccurate. A company spokesperson, Kelly Nantel, said, “We strive to provide a safe and supportive environment for all employees, including those who need pregnancy-related accommodations.” She added that Amazon approved over 99.9% of such requests in the past year and that the plaintiffs’ accounts contain inaccuracies. A Better Balance has long advocated for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which was passed with strong bipartisan support in 2022 and took effect in June 2023. The law aimed to protect low-wage and hourly workers, especially women, who often face difficulties in securing basic accommodations like a chair, leave for medical appointments, or temporary light duty. However, the law has faced legal challenges from Republican-led states and religious groups, who opposed certain regulations from the Biden-era Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), particularly those related to abortion accommodations. A federal judge recently invalidated part of those regulations, and the EEOC, now under a Republican leadership, plans to revise them. Meanwhile, Texas has filed a lawsuit challenging the entire law, arguing it was passed unconstitutionally. Despite these legal battles, the EEOC has continued to enforce the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, targeting companies that fail to accommodate pregnant workers. The new lawsuit against Amazon claims that its policies against pregnant workers have already been documented in state investigations in New Jersey and New York, as well as in EEOC findings. One plaintiff, Jennifer Hatch, worked in a warehouse in Lancaster, New York, where she was required to stand for long periods and lift heavy boxes. After discovering she was pregnant in January 2025, her doctor recommended sitting breaks and a lifting restriction due to a high-risk pregnancy. Amazon delayed and then denied her requests. When Hatch was unable to stand due to breathing difficulties, a manager refused to let her sit in a chair, even though one was available. After she took unpaid time off for hospital visits related to pregnancy complications, Amazon docked her time and eventually fired her for violating an attendance policy.