United Airways Ex-Worker Sues Over Utilizing PTO For Chemo

[ad_1] by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman January 20, 2026

The worker says he was ineligible for medical depart, leaving him with no alternative however to make use of sick time for chemo.

United Airways is dealing with a lawsuit from a former worker who says the corporate fired him for utilizing an excessive amount of paid break day to attend chemotherapy.

Hasan Syed filed the lawsuit Jan. 13 in Illinois, citing disability-based discrimination as the rationale behind his firing from the U.S.-based airliner. Based on a submitting obtained by Folks, Syed said he was let go over the cellphone for taking an excessive amount of break day.

He says, nevertheless, that he requested the PTO to attend his chemotherapy classes. He started working for the corporate in April 2024, receiving a prognosis of his stage 4 lymphoma most cancers prognosis in January of the following yr.

Whereas he tried to get depart for his critical sickness by way of the Household and Medical Go away Act (FMLA), he was denied as a result of not having labored on the firm lengthy sufficient. Based on the U.S. Division of Labor, workers can obtain as much as 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected depart with well being advantages intact after 12 consecutive months of employment.

Following the harrowing information, he nonetheless tried to maintain up along with his 12-hour shifts. He used his worker advantages of paid break day and sick days as he started chemo that February.

“Regardless of his prognosis and medical challenges, [Syed] continued working and performing his job duties to the most effective of his talents,” the criticism says.

Nonetheless, the corporate started to pay attention to how typically he used his off days, unknowingly inserting him on the chopping block. Within the midst of a chemo session, Syed obtained a name informing him of his termination. His supervisor allegedly said that his break day was the perpetrator.

“I’m sorry, however I've to allow you to go,” reportedly detailed the supervisor. “You’re taking an excessive amount of break day work.”

So as to add insult to damage, Syed claims the termination occurred one week earlier than he turned eligible for medical depart. His lawsuit additional dictated that the firing left Syed at a loss, particularly with the abrupt removing of his well being advantages.

[United’s] actions brought about [Syed] important monetary hurt, emotional misery, humiliation, and lack of dignity throughout an especially weak interval of his life,” said the submitting.

Nonetheless, Syed says the termination violated greater than the FMLA. The previous airline employee additionally accused United of violating the Individuals with Disabilities Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act.

Now, Syed hopes to reclaim again pay with curiosity, lack of advantages, and damages for what he considers an unjust firing. His legal professional instructed the information outlet that his case is greater than private, however about “maintain[ing] employers accountable.”

“Mr. Syed’s case is a couple of employee who did every part he may to maintain working whereas combating a critical medical situation — and was terminated as an alternative of supported,” shared the legal professional, Chad Eisenback, in an emailed assertion. “Nobody ought to have to decide on between their well being and their livelihood, and we are going to proceed to carry employers accountable after they do.”