Washington Lawsuit Alleges Providence Failed to Accommodate Pregnant and Nursing Employees

The state of Washington has filed a lawsuit  against Providence, alleging that the nonprofit healthcare system did not adequately accommodate pregnant and nursing employees and, in some cases, retaliated against workers who sought assistance.

The complaint, filed by the office of Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, follows an investigation into incidents dating back to 2021. According to the lawsuit, Providence repeatedly failed to comply with workplace accommodation requirements for pregnant and nursing employees.

State officials allege that Providence regularly denied requests for accommodations such as restrictions on lifting or increased opportunities to sit during shifts. The complaint also claims the health system delayed responses to accommodation requests, at times taking up to a month, or approved requests without putting the accommodations into practice. Additionally, the lawsuit challenges a policy requiring workers to provide notes from healthcare providers to justify some accommodations, alleging that such a requirement is unlawful for certain requests.

The complaint further alleges that some employees encountered retaliation after seeking pregnancy-related accommodations. According to the filing, some workers were treated negatively by supervisors, while others allegedly lost their jobs or felt compelled to resign after requesting support related to pregnancy.

State officials argue that these actions violate both Washington’s Healthy Starts Act and the Washington Law Against Discrimination. In announcing the lawsuit, the attorney general’s office described the allegations as particularly notable given Providence’s role in providing prenatal and postnatal care to patients throughout the state.

“Taking commonsense steps to keep pregnant and nursing employees and their babies safe and healthy isn’t optional—it’s the law,” Brown said in a statement announcing the legal action. “A healthcare provider like Providence should know better.”

Before the lawsuit was filed, Providence and the attorney general’s office had discussions concerning accommodations for pregnant and nursing employees, according to both parties.

The attorney general’s office stated that it had approached Providence about the concerns and attempted to resolve the matter, but said those discussions did not produce an agreement.

In response, a Providence spokesperson said the organization had attempted to engage with the state but was not provided with enough information to evaluate the allegations, address individual concerns, or improve workplace processes for employees. The spokesperson added that Providence remained willing to continue working in good faith toward resolving the matter and expressed disappointment that the dispute had moved to litigation instead of cooperation.

Providence also stated that it seeks to provide a workplace that supports parents, including through paid parental leave, pregnancy-related accommodations, and flexibility for employees returning to work after the birth or adoption of a child.

The lawsuit requests a permanent injunction to stop the alleged conduct and seeks restitution for individuals affected by what the state describes as discriminatory treatment. While the attorney general’s office did not specify the number of employees involved, the complaint notes that Providence has received more than 300 pregnancy accommodation requests from Washington-based employees since 2021. The office also said that many nurses were among those allegedly denied accommodations or subjected to retaliation.

Providence is Washington’s largest healthcare provider, operating more than 35 hospitals in the state. The nonprofit organization spans 51 hospitals and employs 119,000 workers, with reported operating revenue of $29 billion in 2025.

Providence is facing a new lawsuit in Washington state alleging the healthcare organization failed to provide proper accommodations for pregnant and nursing employees. The legal complaint claims that Providence violated workplace protection requirements by not adequately supporting workers who requested pregnancy-related and lactation accommodations.

The case has attracted attention across the healthcare and employment sectors as workplace protections for pregnant and nursing employees continue to evolve in the United States.

Allegations Against Providence

According to the lawsuit, Providence allegedly denied or delayed accommodations requested by pregnant and breastfeeding workers.

Workplace accommodation laws are designed to ensure that employees experiencing pregnancy or postpartum health needs receive fair treatment and reasonable support from employers. These protections often include modified work schedules, additional rest breaks, temporary job adjustments, and access to private lactation spaces.

Legal experts note that employers in healthcare environments face unique challenges because hospital operations require strict staffing schedules and demanding physical responsibilities. However, labor regulations still require organizations to balance operational needs with employee health protections.