Amazon warehouse employees sue over ‘punitive' handling of absences

Core Points - Amazon is facing a proposed class action lawsuit alleging that it enforces a "punitive" policy regarding workplace absences for employees with disabilities [1][10] - The lawsuit claims that Amazon docks unpaid time off for New York employees who request accommodations and threatens termination for excessive absences [1][6] Summary by Sections Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit is led by Cayla Lyster, an Amazon warehouse employee in New York, who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and claims she was placed on unpaid leave for nearly six weeks while her accommodation requests were reviewed [4][9] - Employees are reportedly subjected to intimidating emails demanding justification for absences within 48 hours, with threats of termination for non-compliance [7][9] Legal Context - The lawsuit seeks damages for all hourly warehouse workers in New York state over the past three years who have sought or intended to seek accommodations for disabilities [10] - This legal action follows a similar lawsuit filed by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, which accused Amazon of denying reasonable accommodation requests and placing pregnant workers and those with disabilities on unpaid leave [12][13] Company Response - Amazon has not provided immediate comments regarding the lawsuit [3] - The company has previously denied claims made by the New Jersey Attorney General, stating that it approves over 99% of requests for pregnancy-related accommodations [13]