Amazon sued in class action lawsuit over workplace absence practices
Amazon is facing a proposed class action lawsuit that accuses the e-commerce giant of implementing “punitive attendance policies” against its employees. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in New York, alleges that Amazon uses an automated system to track employee attendance and then threatens employees with discipline and possible termination when they make legally protected accommodation requests.
According to the complaint, employees at Amazon live under constant fear of punishment if they get sick, injured, or need time off to care for a family member. The lawsuit claims that the company’s policies discourage employees from exercising their legal rights and violate the Americans with Disabilities Act and two other New York state laws governing disability discrimination and workplace absence policies.
In response to the allegations, Amazon denied the claims, stating that they follow federal and state laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act and New York State Human Rights Law. The company emphasized that ensuring the health and well-being of its employees is a top priority and that they review accommodation requests individually to provide employees with the necessary support.
The lawsuit was filed by Cayla Lyster, a former Amazon employee who has a genetic connective-tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Lyster alleged that Amazon delayed her accommodation request for a chair to sit on, asked inappropriate questions about her medical condition, docked her unpaid time off, and threatened her with discipline and termination while awaiting approval for her accommodation.
Lyster is seeking compensatory and punitive damages as well as a jury trial. The lawsuit comes after a five-year investigation by A Better Balance, which documented numerous abuses against pregnant and disabled Amazon workers who requested time off. Inimai Chettiar, president of A Better Balance, stated that the lawsuit specifically focuses on workers with disabilities but highlights a broader issue at Amazon regarding attendance and disciplinary policies.
The case underscores the importance of ensuring that employees are treated fairly and given the necessary accommodations to perform their jobs effectively. Amazon’s response to the lawsuit and the outcome of the legal proceedings will be closely monitored to see how the company addresses these allegations and upholds its commitment to providing a safe and supportive work environment for all employees.
