Former Transamerica VP sues, alleging retaliation after depression disclosure

On or about March 12, 2024, Butler told Guerin via text message that he had depression and was “currently struggling with it more than usual.” He alleges that almost immediately after this disclosure, Guerin overhauled his work expectations — requiring thirty in-person meetings per week, with at least fifteen booked at least two weeks in advance. Butler says these targets were not imposed on any of his similarly situated colleagues. 

By June 2024, the situation had worsened. On June 12, Butler emailed Guerin: “Jared, I need to take some time off to figure out what is going on. I don’t want to be alive anymore, which for obvious reasons makes it difficult for me to work.” 

Days later, HR representative Jacinta Jargo called him. According to the filing, she asked whether he still wanted to move forward with the FMLA/ADA request, noting he seemed to be doing well and might not need it. She then, the filing states, very strongly emphasized that there should be no more unexcused absences. 

Butler formally submitted requests for intermittent FMLA leave and ADA accommodations on or about June 24, 2024. He alleges that after approval, modified expectations were created without his involvement and handed to him as the new standard — fifteen weekly in-person meetings and weekly sales and meetings quotas he had never previously been held to, and that none of his colleagues faced. He claims he was never included in the interactive process, the back-and-forth between employer and employee that the ADA expects when working out reasonable accommodations. 

He says he flagged concerns about retaliation and disparate treatment to both HR and a Transamerica director. Neither, he alleges, provided a meaningful response. The filing also claims Butler was instructed to use his budget to “buy business” through sponsorship funds, a practice described in the filing as illegal and unethical.