Fifth Circuit Tosses Autistic Worker’s Suit Over Telework Denial

An ex-Army contractor diagnosed with autism and social anxiety lost his bid to revive his lawsuit alleging his employer didn’t provide a reasonable accommodation to telework and retaliated by terminating him.

Albert Hayes didn’t provide enough evidence to support any of his claims of discrimination and retaliation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to Judge Edith H. Jones of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Hayes—who was diagnosed with autism, major depressive disorder, and social anxiety disorder—sued GStek Inc. after the company terminated his employment due to his absenteeism.

The appeals court affirmed a lower court’s ...