Jeff Bezos Denies Ex-Housekeeper’s Allegations Of Racial Bias And Unsafe Working Conditions

Topline

Billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has denied allegations that his ex-housekeeper faced racial discrimination and unsafe working conditions while employed at his Seattle mansion as outlined in a lawsuit filed this week, with Bezos’ lawyer telling Forbes the claims have been investigated by his firm and “lack merit.”

Key Facts

On Tuesday, plaintiff Mercedes Wedaa filed a lawsuit in a Seattle state court claiming that after she joined the billionaire’s staff in September 2019, she worked 10 to 14 hours a day without meal breaks or rest if Bezos or his family were home.

Wedaa also said she faced racial discrimination from one of Bezos’ household managers, who according to the complaint “became aggressive and abusive” toward Wedaa, who is Hispanic. (Wedaa said the manager treated white workers differently than her and other Hispanic staff).

According to the complaint, household staff did not have a designated break room or easily accessible bathroom, and when staff would try to have meal breaks in a laundry room, they were prohibited from using a nearby bathroom, which forced them to climb out of a window to access another one.

The lengths required to access a bathroom caused many members of staff to develop urinary tract infections, the complaint states.

Wedaa, who was fired after nearly three years of employment, is seeking back pay and benefits and monetary damages.

Contra

Bezos’ attorney Harry Korrell told Forbes in a statement that the idea of Bezos, his girlfriend Lauren Sanchez or Northwestern LLC–which manages Bezos’ properties–discriminating against Wedaa based on her race or national origin is “absurd.” Korrell also disputed Wedaa’s allegations about work conditions, saying that as the lead housekeeper who made a six-figure salary, she was responsible for setting her own break and meal times and utilized several bathrooms and break rooms for staff. The evidence will show Wedaa was terminated for “performance reasons” and that she initially demanded $9 million and filed the lawsuit after the company refused to pay, Korrell said.

Our Valuation

We estimate Bezos is worth $113.6 billion, making him the second-wealthiest person in the world after Elon Musk.

Tangent

Bezos has also come under fire for the conditions of Amazon workers across the country. In September, more than 30 Amazon worker coalitions, labor organizations and community groups asked Congress to call a hearing on warehouse safety and to ask top Amazon officials to testify about working conditions. Last year, there were 34,000 serious injuries involving workers at Amazon facilities, according to data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The company apologized in 2021 for denying reports that delivery drivers urinated in bottles on the job in order to meet strict time restraints.

Further Reading

Bezos Sued by Ex-Housekeeper OverRacial Bias, Long Hours (Bloomberg)

Jeff Bezos sued by former housekeeper alleging racial discrimination (The Guardian)