New York State is taking on Amazon with a burst of fiery accusations, claiming the tech giant is flouting discrimination laws by denying proper accommodations for pregnant and disabled workers.
In a thunderous complaint unveiled by the state’s Division of Human Rights and passionately announced by Governor Kathy Hochul, Amazon stands accused of forcing its warehouse warriors into unpaid medical leave rather than adjusting their duties, as mandated by state law. A colossal workforce of 39,000 employees toils across 23 New York facilities under Amazon’s banner, as confirmed by the state.
New York asserts that Amazon employs so-called “accommodation consultants” who suggest modifications to duties for disabled employees. However, the company endows its managers with the power to overrule these recommendations. Shockingly, the state recounts an instance where a pregnant worker was coerced into lifting heavy boxes despite pleading for an accommodation. Her plea was met with rejection, leading to an injury. When she requested an accommodation for her injury, it too was cruelly denied, compelling her to take unpaid leave.
In a fiery email response, Amazon declared its unwavering support for pregnant and disabled employees. Spokesperson Kelly Nantel, in a fervent statement, expressed their astonishment at the governor’s morning announcement. She conveyed Amazon’s ongoing cooperation with investigators on the matter but expressed an inability to comment further until they received the formal complaint.
This clash comes in the wake of Amazon grappling with a reputation as an unsafe workplace. A union-sponsored study, analyzing government data, exposed that warehouse workers in Amazon’s employ suffer injuries at a rate twice that of workers in non-Amazon facilities. These injuries, partly attributed to the company’s stringent productivity quotas, which sometimes demand employees to forego breaks or lunch hours, prompted California to pass a law to curtail such demands. Amazon contends that the spike in injuries stemmed from a rapid increase in employment during the Covid-19 pandemic. They assert they poured $300 million into worker safety in 2021.
Workplace safety was a pivotal rallying point for the Amazon Labor Union, an independent union that victoriously organized an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island, New York. The state’s lawsuit adds to the mounting tension between Amazon and New Yorkers. Alongside the successful unionization endeavor, New York City memorably rejected Amazon’s proposal to build a second headquarters in Queens. The city’s refusal, rooted in concerns over tax incentives, traffic, rent hikes, and gentrification, stood in stark contrast to other cities’ eagerness to lure Amazon with tax breaks. Despite publicly severing ties with the city, Amazon stealthily expanded its office space while hiring thousands.
Governor Hochul, striving to appeal to progressives in New York City as she runs for election as a Democrat, has chosen to lock horns with the tech titan. Given the city’s turbulent history with Amazon, her bold stance against the company is likely to resonate with its liberal population.
This electrifying battle promises to have a lasting impact on Amazon’s operations in the Empire State, setting the stage for a fierce showdown between corporate behemoth and government authority.
