An Amazon warehouse worker has initiated a federal civil rights lawsuit against the retail giant, alleging systematic harassment and discriminatory practices concerning her legal right to express breast milk during her shifts. The case, filed by Isharae Jackson, a mother of twins employed at an Amazon fulfilment centre in Staten Island, underscores ongoing tensions between corporate policies and federal protections for nursing employees.
Allegations of Constant Harassment and Discrimination
Jackson's lawsuit details a pattern of what she describes as "constant harassment" from management regarding her lactation breaks. According to her claims, supervisors closely monitored her time spent pumping breast milk, creating an atmosphere of surveillance and pressure. She alleges that managers subjected her to accusatory questioning, including inquiries such as why she could not utilise her standard fifteen-minute breaks for this purpose, despite federal law mandating reasonable accommodations for nursing mothers.
Financial and Professional Repercussions
The complaint further asserts that Jackson faced direct financial penalties, with her pay being docked for the travel time required to reach a designated mother's room located at a considerable distance from her workstation. This practice, she argues, effectively penalised her for exercising her legally protected rights. After voicing her concerns about these discriminatory actions, Jackson contends she experienced retaliatory measures, including formal write-ups for minor infractions that non-nursing colleagues were typically allowed to correct without such disciplinary action.
Retaliatory Termination and Legal Aims
Jackson reports that her complaints to the company's human resources department were ignored, culminating in her termination in mid-June 2025. She claims this dismissal was a direct act of retaliation for her opposition to Amazon's alleged discriminatory practices. The fear of losing her job, she states, ultimately forced her to cease breastfeeding prematurely. The federal lawsuit seeks a court injunction to prevent further discrimination, along with claims for lost wages, compensatory damages for emotional distress, and punitive damages. This case highlights that federal law explicitly protects pumping rights, and it joins a growing number of similar legal challenges brought against major corporations in recent years.
