Twenty-six current and former employees at an Amazon warehouse in Joliet say the mega-retailer has allowed a racially hostile work environment, including death threats against Black employees and workers who are allowed to wear Confederate flag clothing.The allegations are described in a complaint just filed with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Illinois Department of Human Rights.
An image included in an EEOC complaint against Amazon shows racial slurs written in a bathroom of the Joliet facility. The racial slurs have been blurred out by WTTW News. The complaint alleges that Amazon painted over the threats before law enforcement could investigate, including a third piece of graffiti in the men’s room that employees couldn’t photograph before it was removed. Davis says Amazon fired her this month after she told the company she’d take legal action if it didn’t address complaints of racism, and that she is appealing her termination.
“There is no sign more serious and more terrifying than a death threat in a workplace where White workers are allowed to wear Confederate flag outfits with impunity,” said attorney Tamara Holder, who’s representing the Amazon employees. “We have truly reached a low point in America where we have to go to work in fear that we may not come home to our families.”
Amazon has also faced complaints of racism from employees at its Gage Park warehouse. Employees at that locationalleging management has harassed employees of color and wrongfully fired two Black employees.