TL;DR
The family of Annie Surman has filed a legal complaint alleging MongoDB fired her while she was on disability leave receiving intensive mental-health treatment. The complaint claims her health insurance was terminated and that the firing violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and New York human rights laws; the family says she died by suicide shortly afterward.
What happened
Greg Surman posted on LinkedIn that his daughter, Annie, died by suicide last year after being dismissed by MongoDB while on disability leave. According to the family’s post, Annie was undergoing intensive mental-health treatment when the employer demanded she return immediately. The family says Annie requested an extension or at least time to consult her medical providers about returning, but that the company terminated her health insurance and then fired her. They assert the actions violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and New York State and City Human Rights Laws. The complaint, filed by the family and announced in the post, seeks accountability for wrongful termination and wrongful death. The family also disputes reports that Annie resigned and says they are pursuing the case both to set the record straight and to try to prevent similar situations for other employees.
Why it matters
- Allegations raise questions about how employers handle leave requests and mental-health accommodations.
- Claims invoke federal and state disability and human-rights protections, which are central to workplace law.
- Outcomes could affect how companies manage disability leave, benefits and return-to-work communications.
- The case highlights broader public concerns about employer treatment of vulnerable workers and the potential human consequences.
Key facts
- Annie Surman died by suicide last year, according to a LinkedIn post by her father, Greg Surman.
- The family filed a legal complaint alleging wrongful termination and wrongful death against MongoDB.
- The complaint says Annie was on disability leave receiving intensive mental-health treatment when the company demanded her immediate return.
- The family alleges MongoDB terminated her health insurance and then fired her, and that this violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and New York State and City Human Rights Laws.
- The family says they asked only for an extension or time to consult medical providers and that an extension would have cost the company nothing.
- The family disputes reports that she quit and says MongoDB fired her.
- The post has generated public expressions of condolences and support from many people.
What to watch next
- The progress and outcome of the legal complaint filed by the family.
- Any official response, statement or legal filing from MongoDB — not confirmed in the source.
- Whether the case prompts public discussion or policy reviews about employer handling of mental-health leave — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): A U.S. civil-rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in areas including employment.
- Disability leave: A period during which an employee is absent from work due to medical reasons and may receive job protections or benefits depending on law and company policy.
- Wrongful termination: A legal claim that an employee was fired in violation of employment laws, contracts or public policy.
- Wrongful death: A legal claim brought when a person’s death is alleged to have resulted from another party’s wrongful act or negligence.
Reader FAQ
Who filed the complaint?
Annie’s family, represented by her father Greg Surman, announced they filed a legal complaint.
What does the complaint allege?
The family alleges MongoDB demanded an immediate return, terminated health insurance, then fired Annie while she was on disability leave, and that these actions violated the ADA and New York human-rights laws.
Did MongoDB respond to the allegations?
Not confirmed in the source.
Was it reported that Annie quit?
The family says MongoDB may have told some colleagues she quit; they assert that is not true and that she was fired.
Greg Surman 1w Edited Our beloved, irreplaceable daughter Annie should’ve been celebrating her 30th birthday this week. Instead, we’re left marking that milestone without her — remembering all that she…
Sources
- Employee commits suicide after MongoDB fired her during mental health leave
- She died by suicide after being fired. Her family is suing …
- Lawsuit Blames Employer for Employee's Suicide
- Ferguson sued after former employee died by suicide
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