Snapshot:

Three female Amazon employees have filed a class-action lawsuit against the company in the US, alleging gender discrimination and retaliation after they raised concerns about pay inequity. Amazon has denied the allegations and has sought to dismiss the lawsuit. The case is ongoing.

Factual background

Three female employees from Amazon's corporate research and strategy division have filed a class-action lawsuit against the company, alleging systemic gender discrimination and amended their complaint a few months later to cite retaliation. The plaintiffs claim that Amazon routinely assigned lower job titles and salaries to female employees compared to their male counterparts, leading to chronic pay inequity. After raising these concerns and following the filing of their original lawsuit in November 2023, they allege that Amazon retaliated by demoting them, reducing their job responsibilities, and further intensifying these actions.

Legal argument

The lawsuit argues that Amazon’s practices amount to gender discrimination by providing lower compensation and fewer opportunities for female employees to perform equivalent roles as male employees. It also claims that the company’s retaliation against the plaintiffs for reporting these issues further exacerbates the discrimination. The plaintiffs seek to address the alleged disparities and retaliation through legal action. The updated complaint alleges that the plaintiffs faced adverse consequences such as termination, forced resignation, and performance improvement plans in response to their initial allegations. These actions are claimed to be retaliatory and in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Washington state law, which protect against discrimination and retaliation.

Legal Proceedings

In November 2023, three female Amazon employees filed a class-action lawsuit in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington alleging gender discrimination over pay and promotions. Amazon has denied the allegations and has sought to dismiss the lawsuit.

The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint in February 2024 in Seattle federal court alleging they were demoted following their initial complaint. The case is ongoing.

News items

Amazon faces expanded sex bias lawsuit claiming it punished workers who sued, Reuters, 9 February 2024

Amazon sued by three employees who allege gender discrimination and ‘chronic’ pay inequity, CNBC, 20 November 2023