Five women have filed separate complaints against Amazon in the United States, alleging a series of labor law violations, including cases of harassment, discrimination, equal pay violations and retaliation. These women, all represented by the same legal team, worked in different Amazon departments. The complaints have been filed in federal courts in four US states.
In March, Charlotte Newman, a current senior Amazon executive, filed a discrimination and harassment complaint claiming the company had hired her for a position below her qualifications. She also claims that Amazon later asked her to take on a job with more responsibility without giving her a promotion. Charlotte Newman, who is black, also claims that an official used racial stereotypes in her negative comments and a colleague harassed her and made inappropriate gestures.
The new lawsuits come as Amazon comes under scrutiny over its labor practices and accusations of failing to promote women and people of color to the same rate as their white male counterparts. Amazon is participating this week in a National Labor Relations Board hearing to consider a complaint it inappropriately interfered with in a union election at its Bessemer, Alabama warehouse. An employee claimed to have seen Amazon security guards accessing a USPS mailbox that contained ballots for the election. In February, a Vox article described a set of unfavorable conditions for black women and Amazon employees. The e-merchant claims to have had no access to the mailbox in question and considered that the Vox article does not reflect reality.
“Amazon strives to foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture”
An Amazon spokesperson said the company was investigating the lawsuits brought this week and had so far found no evidence to support the charges. ” Amazon strives to foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture, ”the spokesperson said. “We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment in any form, and employees are encouraged to raise concerns with any member of management or through an anonymous, risk-free ethics hotline. retaliation. »
The five new complaints come from two women who worked in human resources, two others who worked in delivery operations and a woman who worked for Amazon Web Services.
Human resources specialist Tiffany Gordwin, who is black, says she was not selected for promotion and was assigned to a less important position. She said she suffered comments from her superiors that included racial stereotypes.
Pearl Thomas, also a black human resources worker, claims to have been the victim of racial abuse and harassment. She refers to an incident in which an official allegedly used the word “ Negro After thinking she had hung up the phone.
Delivery operations manager Diana Cuervo says she was harassed by an official who made derogatory comments about Latinos, and was fired after complaining.
Emily Sousa, a team leader at an Amazon warehouse, claims that a coworker compared her to a porn star and another harassed her repeatedly. She says she was fired after complaining.
Cindy Warner, senior executive at Amazon Web Services, claims she earned less than her male counterparts, in part because she was hired at a lower level position after being barred from applying for a higher level position . She says she was fired in retaliation for complaining.
According to the plaintiffs’ lawyers, “ These are systemic issues, ingrained deep within the business and perpetuated by an HR organization that deals with employees who express concerns like the problem. ».
Article from CNET.com adapted by CNETFrance
Image: Amazon
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