New Jersey Sues Amazon Over Misclassification, Discrimination

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin filed multiple lawsuits against Amazon alleging systematic discrimination against pregnant workers and employees with disabilities in its warehouses and illegal misclassification of thousands of Flex delivery drivers as independent contractors. The warehouse complaint says Amazon routinely delays or denies reasonable accommodation requests — investigators say about 27,000 requests were submitted from 2021–2023 — places workers on unpaid leave while reviewing requests, enforces a seven-day documentation deadline, upholds strict productivity quotas even when accommodations are approved, and in some cases fires or pushes employees out. The Flex suit alleges Amazon treats drivers like employees by controlling routes, schedules and performance while labeling them contractors to avoid paying overtime, minimum wage protections, workers’ compensation and contributions to state unemployment and disability funds. Both cases seek damages, penalties and court orders to change Amazon’s practices, and Platkin says the company enriched itself by flouting labor and anti-discrimination laws. Amazon disputes the allegations and defends its Flex program, and the actions add to growing legal scrutiny of the company’s labor practices nationwide following prior settlements and lawsuits.