Worker alleges Tesla invented her disability – then fired her over it

On September 27, 2023, the filing states, the worker once again asked for the specific chemical data sheets. Tesla’s response, according to the complaint: the information was not available for employee distribution, and the company would not provide it. In the same message, Tesla repeated its demand for a full-duty release by the next day.

The specific safety data sheets finally arrived on October 4, 2023, the complaint states – more than a year after the leave began.

Once the worker’s doctor reviewed the chemical information, the filing alleges, the physician explained the adhesive contained known irritants that would cause a reaction in any person and declined to characterise her as disabled. The worker submitted the completed medical questionnaire on October 24, 2023, meeting Tesla’s extended deadline, the complaint states. Her physician answered “no” to questions about impairment limiting major life activities or job functions, expressly stated the worker was not disabled, and noted the prior work area had caused chemical burns because PPE was unavailable.

That was not enough, according to the complaint. On October 30, 2023 – the same day Tesla acknowledged the worker’s clarification responses – the filing alleges the company demanded yet another supplemental medical questionnaire, challenging the physician’s answers. The worker responded that her doctor had already answered the questions, the complaint states, and requested reimbursement for the medical visits: $150.00 each, $450.00 in total, with no Tesla paycheck for 14 months and no health benefits.

On November 7, 2023, the filing alleges, Tesla declared the “interactive process” concluded. The worker remained locked out of the workplace.