A former employee is taking legal action against a prominent solar energy company, alleging wrongful termination and discrimination. Azeem Abdullah filed a complaint in the District Court for Harris County, Texas, on March 28, 2025, accusing SunRun, Inc. of discriminatory practices and unlawful termination.
The lawsuit outlines Abdullah's employment history with SunRun, beginning on March 19, 2023, as a Retail Associate. Abdullah claims he was an exemplary employee despite his autism and South Asian descent—both protected characteristics under federal and state anti-discrimination laws. He alleges that his termination on October 22, 2024, by District Manager Trisha Davey was based on unfounded harassment accusations made by a coworker named Davana Sterling. According to Abdullah, these allegations stemmed from innocuous interactions: a supportive Facebook comment and an unanswered phone call meant to congratulate another colleague. After receiving a message from Sterling requesting no further contact outside work due to his perceived "weirdness," Abdullah apologized and ceased communication.
Abdullah contends that no formal investigation or due process occurred before his dismissal, violating both Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code. He asserts that stereotypes about his autism contributed to perceptions of him being "awkward" or "creepy," which are explicitly condemned under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Additionally, he believes racial bias influenced the decision-making process at SunRun.
In response to these events, Abdullah seeks compensatory damages for lost wages and emotional distress resulting from what he describes as a hostile work environment fueled by racial and disability discrimination. He also requests punitive damages for intentional infliction of emotional distress under Texas common law. Furthermore, Abdullah calls for injunctive relief requiring SunRun to revise its policies regarding ADA compliance and diversity training.
The case highlights systemic issues within SunRun's corporate culture that allegedly perpetuate discriminatory practices against employees with disabilities or non-Caucasian backgrounds. Abdullah's lawsuit emphasizes the lack of transparency in handling workplace grievances at SunRun; when he reached out to Human Resources about the incident involving Sterling's accusations against him - he was warned not only would there be no documentation shared but any further inquiry could lead to escalation - effectively silencing him without recourse through legitimate grievance pathways available otherwise.
Represented by attorney John L. Pittman III from San Diego-based law firm John L. Pittman III | Attorney At Law APC. The Case ID: 202521524.