It claimed that Amazon discriminated against disabled and pregnant workers by refusing reasonable accommodations and making them take unpaid time off; Kathy Hochul made Gov. Wednesday’s announcement.
According to a statement by the Governor’s offices, Amazon employs more than 39,000 people in New York. These workers are spread across nearly two dozen work sites. They also have in-house consultants who assess accommodation requests. The New York State Division of Human Rights filed the complaint. It alleges that Amazon has a policy that allows managers at the site to ignore recommendations from consultants. This has resulted in work requests being denied.
All employers must provide reasonable accommodations for disabled and pregnant workers under state law. The Governor’s office denied three separate requests by pregnant or disabled workers.
According to the Governor’s office, the complaint alleges that Amazon’s policy forces employees with disabilities to take unpaid leave medically. These practices are against state law, it said.
Governor Hochul released a statement saying that any employer will be held responsible if it does not treat its workers with dignity and respect, no matter how large or small.
The Amazon spokesperson, Kelly Nantel, stated that Governor’s announcement was unexpected because Amazon had been cooperating with state investigators on the matter and “had no indication” that a complaint would become.
Nantel stated that Amazon is committed to ensuring all employees feel safe and supported, even those with disabilities or expecting mothers. Nantel also said that the company has not received any complaints and is “not able to comment further.”
The complaint, among other things, seeks to force Amazon to stop discriminatory conduct and pay fines or penalties.
