Former CrowdStrike China analyst sues, alleging ADA bias over mental health accommodation and firing after leave
Key points
- Plaintiff James Kirtley Smith alleges CrowdStrike refused accommodations for his anxiety and depression
- He alleges he was fired shortly after returning from medical leave, and that managers scrutinized and threatened him after he disclosed his conditions
- The allegations have not been adjudicated
A former CrowdStrike China threat analyst, James Kirtley Smith, filed a complaint in the US District Court for the District of Columbia alleging the company refused accommodations for his anxiety and depression and fired him shortly after he returned from medical leave. The complaint says managers began scrutinizing and threatening him after he disclosed his conditions. The allegations have not been adjudicated.
What employers should do
- Review how accommodation requests for disabilities are received, answered in a timely way, and documented in writing
- Verify that termination decisions for employees returning from medical leave have independent, documented legitimate reasons
- Train managers on conduct after employees disclose mental health conditions, avoiding threats or excessive scrutiny
Policy details
- Jurisdiction
- US District Court for the District of Columbia
- Status
- Enforcement action
- Effective date
- —
- Employers covered
- CrowdStrike
- Official source
- Official source pending
Original report: Bloomberg Law News ↗Edited with AI assistance. Facts are based on official sources and original reports. For information only; not legal, immigration or insurance advice.