A hospital employee with Tourette syndrome got fired after just a week on the job when the head of HR allegedly became offended that the man — whose persistent tics, such as squinting, grimacing, and eye-blinking are totally involuntary — was “making faces” at him.
In a federal civil rights lawsuit filed Friday and obtained first by The Independent, former project manager Adam Thompson accuses the White Plains Hospital Medical Center of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by terminating him over a physical condition he cannot control.
The suit says Thompson disclosed his condition to hospital officials during the interview process and even provided a letter from his doctor that “unequivocally” confirmed his fitness for duty.
Still, it contends, the VP of human resources mistook Thompson’s spontaneous facial movements as “confrontational” and called for his immediate termination.
In an email, White Plains Hospital’s senior director of communications, Michael Gelormino, said, “It is our policy not to comment on pending litigation.”
Thompson began working at White Plains Hospital on October 28, 2024 as a senior “MEP” project manager, responsible for overseeing all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems throughout the facility, according to the complaint filed with his lawsuit.
His previous experience as an MEP manager, coordinator, and superintendent meant he’d easily be able to ensure all new construction met design specifications, safety codes, and deadlines, the complaint states.
Before he took the job, Thompson informed his supervisor-to-be that he suffers from Tourette syndrome as well as ADHD, but takes medication to control both and neither interfere at all with his ability to work, the complaint continues, adding that Thompson’s personal physician confirmed as much in writing.
It says this “proactive approach” met with “positive feedback” from higher-ups, who recognized Thompson’s “competence and commitment.”
“However,” the complaint goes on, Thompson’s “situation took a troubling turn on November 4, 2024, during a mandatory New Hire Orientation.”
While at the orientation, Thompson briefly texted with his wife about “urgent” childcare arrangements, according to the complaint.
“He was then abruptly confronted by… the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, demanding that [he] put his phone away because he was ‘disrespecting’ the speakers,” the complaint states.
It says Thompson “immediately complied,” offered an apology, and explained why he had been using the phone. But, the complaint alleges, the assistant VP of HR was unmoved, and instructed Thompson to leave the orientation.
During his interaction with the assistant VP of HR, Thompson “exhibited typical symptoms” of Tourette syndrome, which the complaint describes as “eye blinking, squinting, facial grimacing, twitching, and mouth movements.”
