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one United Airlines Aircraft technicians compete in stage four competition cancer is fighting back against the carrier after his boss called in the middle Chemotherapy He was fired for taking “excessive breaks,” according to a federal lawsuit obtained by independent.
In it, Hassan Said said he continued to work while receiving treatment and used accrued sick days and vacation days to make up for absences, often taking a day or two off to recover from the debilitating effects of chemotherapy.
Despite this, Syed was unceremoniously fired, a move his complaint alleges violated Americans with Disabilities Actand caused him “significant financial loss, emotional distress, humiliation and loss of dignity during an extremely vulnerable period of his life.”
If Syed was allowed to continue working for another week, he would be eligible for protection under federal law. family and medical leave actaccording to the complaint. Additionally, Syed’s union could not challenge his firing because he had not yet reached seniority, the complaint states.
Syed sued separately A lawsuit was filed against Monsanto last August blame his illness on round upA powerful herbicide that studies have linked to an increased risk of various cancers, including lymphoma, which the Hoffman Estates, Ill., resident said he has been using for three decades.
Attorney Chad Eisenback said: “Mr Syed’s case involves a worker who did his best to continue working while battling a serious health condition, but was ultimately fired rather than supported.” independent. “Atlas Law Center stands firmly with Mr. Syed and every employee who faces discrimination, retaliation, or denial of basic workplace dignity because of their health condition or disability. No one should have to choose between their health and their livelihood, and when employers do so, we will continue to hold them accountable.”
A spokesman for United Airlines did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Said was employed by united As of April 2024, as a 737 controller, his responsibilities include troubleshooting any issues with the aircraft’s mechanical, electrical and avionics systems. complainfiled Tuesday in federal court in Chicago.
He was a dedicated employee who always “met or exceeded performance expectations,” the complaint said.
In December of that year, Syed began experiencing what the complaint describes as “serious health problems” and went to a doctor to try to figure out what was wrong. In early 2025, Syed underwent a CT scan that revealed a tumor in his nasal passages, the complaint states. A subsequent biopsy confirmed that Syed had stage 4 Lymphomameaning the cancer had spread from the lymphatic system to other organs in his body.
Syed immediately notified his supervisor of the diagnosis and was told to “focus on recovery,” the complaint continues. Although Syed remained fully capable of performing his day-to-day duties as a 737 controller, he asked if he could be temporarily transferred to United’s planning department, which the complaint said would be “less stressful and easier to manage” while undergoing treatment.
However, despite management telling Syed they would “look into the matter” and recommend him for the position, no action was taken, according to the complaint.
Throughout January, Syed visited the doctor “multiple times” as part of the diagnosis and treatment planning process, and began Chemotherapy in February, the complaint states. From then on, Syed allegedly worked 12-hour shifts, four days on, five days off, with one or two days off after each chemotherapy session. (At one point, Syed took a week off and was hospitalized for “anxiety-related…issues,” the complaint said.)
Said has yet to complete a full year at United, which would entitle him to a sabbatical and family and medical leave actcomplaints continue. Despite Syed’s “medical challenges,” he continued to work and “performed his job duties to the best of his ability,” the complaint states.
“April 2025, at the same time [Syed] He was undergoing chemotherapy when he received a call from his supervisor, according to the complaint. “In that phone call, [Syed’s supervisor] Tell [him]”I’m sorry, but I have to let you go – you’ve taken too much time off.”
The decision comes seven days before Said’s first job anniversary, when he will be eligible FMLA left, the complaint said. Syed was allegedly told he could reapply for his position “once his condition improves,” but he remains unemployed.
The complaint alleges that Syed was fired “due to his disability, need for medical treatment and anticipated use of job-protected sick leave,” and contends that United’s conduct “evidences a willful and/or reckless violation of the ADA.”
“As a direct and proximate result of the discrimination described above, [Syed] has suffered and continues to suffer unemployment, loss of income, loss of employment benefits, and has suffered and continues to suffer mental anguish, anguish, humiliation and loss of enjoyment of life. “
Syed filed a discrimination charge with the Illinois Department of Human Rights in November and attached it to his complaint as evidence that his treatment was successful and that a recent PET scan showed the cancer was in remission. On December 29, Syed received a so-called right-to-sue letter from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
His lawsuit is the latest of several filed by United employees who say they have been unfairly treated at work.
Last July, a United Airlines New Jersey Ramp Agents sued for claim She faces ruthlessness sexual harassment Her supervisor complained that her complaints only made matters worse—eventually leading to her removing a 300-pound body from a plane alone, which seriously injured her and ultimately led to her firing.
Her lawsuit alleges that Chantel Matthews’ supervisor greeted her on her first day on the job and said, “Welcome to United. You’re great.” From there, things went from bad to worse.
In the same month, a senior student United Airlines lost pilot Slurred speech after head injury, sues carrierclaims he was falsely accused of being an alcoholic, forced into hospital rehab, and threatened to fire him unless he admitted conduct that allegedly did not exist addiction.
one A third lawsuit was filed around the same time Says United Airlines allows it racism One employee said he was fired for speaking out about a white supervisor ordering a black worker to “go get” a noose, while the harassment worsened uncontrollably.
Syed is now seeking back wages and interest; advance payments; liquidated damages; compensatory and punitive damages; plus court costs and attorney fees.
