Federal Court Orders Amazon to Comply With EEOC Subpoena Over Pregnancy Discrimination Claims

A New York federal judge has mandated Amazon to adhere to a subpoena from the EEOC, which is investigating allegations of pregnancy discrimination against pregnant warehouse workers. The EEOC is reviewing requests for workplace accommodations and Amazon's responses. The judge ruled that the sought information is essential for determining if discrimination occurred.

A New York federal judge has mandated that Amazon comply with a subpoena from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which is probing allegations of pregnancy discrimination against warehouse workers. Judge Lorna Schofield rejected Amazon’s argument that the subpoena was overly broad and irrelevant.

The EEOC seeks data on accommodation requests made by pregnant workers at five U.S. warehouses, investigating whether Amazon met these requests, particularly for limits on heavy lifting and additional breaks. This probe emerged following complaints from five women claiming discrimination at warehouses in various states, including New Jersey and California.

Amazon provided over 200,000 pages of data but did not include the specific information requested. The judge stated this information is essential to determine if Amazon engaged in illegal discrimination. Amazon has been given until Aug. 9 to comply.

Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The EEOC declined to comment. Previously, a New York state agency accused Amazon of requiring pregnant and disabled workers to take unpaid leaves instead of accommodating them, a case still pending. Amazon has denied any wrongdoing, although it acknowledged occasional lapses.

The EEOC started its investigation last year, issuing a subpoena for five categories of information. A new law later mandated pregnancy accommodations irrespective of how companies treat disabled employees.