She planned the leave months ahead, got the green light, and still lost her job
A former Walt Disney Parks and Resorts worker alleges she was fired for absences covered by leave the company had already approved.
The custodial worker filed a federal lawsuit against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. in the Middle District of Florida on September 25, 2026, bringing six claims under the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Florida's Civil Rights Act.
According to the complaint, the worker was employed as a back-of-house utilities custodial worker from May 2023 until her termination in July 2025. During that time, the filing states, she had no significant history of attendance, performance, or disciplinary issues unrelated to her medical leave.
The timeline, as laid out in the complaint, begins in May 2024. That month, the worker submitted paperwork requesting medical leave for gender-affirming surgery - five months ahead of the scheduled procedure. The complaint alleges the company did not notify her of her FMLA rights until October 2024, well past the five-day window the statute requires.
She was approved for short-term disability through February 9, 2025, and underwent two surgical procedures during that period, the filing states. She returned to work on that date.
Then came the second health issue.
In May 2025, the complaint states, the worker experienced a flare-up of anemia and complex post-traumatic stress disorder. She requested...
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