Judge denies motions to dismiss in case of transgender security officer alleging workplace harassment at Amazon’s PNE-5 facility
TRENTON, NJ – A New Jersey federal judge has ruled that a discrimination lawsuit filed by a transgender woman against Amazon and security contractor Metro One may proceed, rejecting both companies’ attempts to have the case dismissed.
Judge Zahid N. Quraishi of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey issued the decision after reviewing motions from both defendants seeking to dismiss the complaint filed by former security officer Ciani Lashay Freeman. Freeman alleges she was harassed and discriminated against because of her gender identity while working at Amazon’s PNE-5 fulfillment facility between December 2022 and June 2023.
Key Points
- Freeman, a transgender woman, claims she faced harassment after supervisors disclosed her gender identity to coworkers.
- Judge Zahid Quraishi denied motions by both Amazon and Metro One to dismiss the lawsuit.
- The case will proceed under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination.
Harassment and disclosure allegations
According to court filings, Freeman was employed jointly by Amazon and Metro One as an unarmed security officer. Shortly after informing site manager Annie Carmichael of her transgender identity, Freeman alleges Carmichael shared that information with other employees, leading to a hostile work environment.
Freeman claims her coworkers became “standoffish or aggressive” after learning about her gender identity. She reported the harassment to Metro One management in March 2023, but the company’s only response was to ask whether she wanted an escort to and from her car — an offer Freeman declined.
Case moves forward
Both Amazon and Metro One argued that Freeman’s claims were insufficient under the law and asked the court to dismiss the complaint. Judge Quraishi disagreed, finding that Freeman’s allegations, if proven, could establish violations of state anti-discrimination statutes.
The ruling means the case will now move into the discovery phase, where evidence and testimony will be gathered. No trial date has yet been set.
Freeman’s lawsuit seeks damages and injunctive relief under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, which protects workers from harassment based on gender identity and expression.
Representatives for Amazon and Metro One did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the decision.