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Amazon is facing criticism and legal complaints from disabled employees over its strict return-to-office requirements and handling of accommodation requests. Workers say the company’s policies violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and workers’ rights to organize.
At least two employees have filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), highlighting concerns about Amazon’s treatment of disabled staff and use of automation in managing accommodation requests, according to Bloomberg.
Employees report frustration with Amazon’s demand that disabled workers return to the office five days a week, despite requests for remote work or other adjustments. Internal communication channels have seen protests against these policies, including surveys that gathered feedback from hundreds of disabled workers.
Amazon has reportedly deleted posts critical of its approach and warned employees against discussing accommodations on company platforms, actions that some workers say led to termination or reassignment.
A key point of contention is Amazon’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to review and process accommodation requests. Workers and disability rights advocates argue that AI-driven evaluations lack the nuance needed to fully understand individual disabilities and could result in unfair denials.
Experts warn that overreliance on automated systems for sensitive decisions risks legal challenges and alienates employees.
Amazon defends its approach, saying its Disability and Leave Services team provides personalized support and accommodations when appropriate. The company states that while remote work is permitted in some cases, many accommodation requests undergo rigorous review, including leader approvals and trial periods.
The dispute is significant given the large number of disabled employees at Amazon, with an internal Slack group for disabled workers reportedly including around 13,000 members.
This latest conflict follows previous allegations of discrimination, including investigations into how Amazon handled pregnancy accommodations and past labor disputes related to workplace activism. The outcome of these complaints could have wide-reaching implications for how Amazon manages disability accommodations and employee rights going forward.
