The state of Washington sued Providence Health & Services on May 13, claiming the Renton, Wash.-based health system failed to provide legally required accommodations to pregnant and nursing employees.
The lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court, stems from an investigation into incidents dating to 2021. According to the complaint, Providence employees — including nurses — were denied accommodations such as more frequent sitting breaks, schedule flexibility for prenatal appointments, lifting restrictions and private spaces to express breast milk.
The state also alleges Providence retaliated against some workers who requested accommodations by forcing them onto leave, terminating employment or assigning more difficult duties.
The complaint alleges Providence routinely required medical documentation for some accommodation requests that do not require certification under Washington law and, in some cases, approved accommodations but failed to implement them in practice.
Providence is a 51-hospital system operating across seven states.
In a statement shared with Becker’s, Providence said it is committed to complying with federal, state and local laws governing pregnancy-related accommodations and has continued working to strengthen related policies and training.
The health system also said it had engaged in discussions with the Washington attorney general’s office regarding compliance with the state’s Healthy Starts Act, but said the office did not provide sufficient information to address specific concerns before filing the lawsuit.
The lawsuit seeks damages and changes to Providence’s accommodation practices.
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