Debra Stapleton v. The Anthem Companies, Inc.

This is a Family Medical Leave Act, disability discrimination, and retaliation case in which Ms. Stapleton injured her knee and then took medical leave to undergo surgery needed to fix her injured knee. When Ms. Stapleton told her boss that her surgeon extended the workplace accommodations associated with her disability the supervisor proceeded question whether Ms. Stapleton would be allowed to remain with the company. The supervisor then proceeded to retaliate against Ms. Stapleton in various ways. Ms. Stapleton complained, to HR, about her boss’s retaliation and harassment. Anthem then fired Ms. Stapleton shortly after HR concluded its investigation of Ms. Stapleton’s retaliation/harassment complaint.  Anthem’s alleged reason for firing Ms. Stapleton was “poor performance” – – – an allegation that has been disputed by some of Ms. Stapleton’s former customers.

A copy of Ms. Stapleton’s Amended Complaint is available here.  The parties agreed to resolve the case.