Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Our Story
    • Partner with us
    • Reach Us
    • Career
    Subscribe Newsletter
    HR KathaHR Katha
    • Exclusive
      • Exclusive Features
      • Research
      • Point Of View
      • Case In Point
      • Dialogue
      • Movement
      • Profile
      • Beyond Work
      • Rising Star
      • By Invitation
    • News
      • Global HR News
      • Compensation & Benefits
      • Diversity
      • Events
      • Gen Y
      • Hiring & Firing
      • HR & Labour Laws
      • Learning & Development
      • Merger & Acquisition
      • Performance Management & Productivity
      • Talent Management
      • Tools & Technology
      • Work-Life Balance
    • Special
      • Cover Story
      • Editorial
      • HR Forecast 2024
      • HR Forecast 2023
      • HR Forecast 2022
      • HR Forecast 2021
      • HR Forecast 2020
      • HR Forecast 2019
      • New Age Learning
      • Coaching and Training
      • Learn-Engage-Transform
    • Magazine
    • Reports
      • Whitepaper
        • HR Forecast 2024 e-mag
        • Future-proofing Manufacturing Through Digital Transformation
        • Employee Healthcare & Wellness Benefits: A Guide for Indian MSMEs
        • Build a Future Ready Organisation For The Road Ahead
        • Employee Experience Strategy
        • HRKatha 2019 Forecast
        • Decoding and Driving Employee Engagement
        • One Platform, Infinite Possibilities
      • Survey Reports
        • Happiness at Work
        • Upskilling for Jobs of the Future
        • The Labour Code 2020
    • Conferences
      • Rising Star Leadership Awards
      • HRKatha Futurecast
      • Automation.NXT
      • The Great HR Debate
    • HR Jobs
    WhatsApp LinkedIn X (Twitter) Facebook Instagram
    HR KathaHR Katha
    Home»News»Compensation & Benefits»How a conversation in Hindi got an Indian-American engineer fired
    Compensation & Benefits

    How a conversation in Hindi got an Indian-American engineer fired

    HRK News BureauBy HRK News BureauAugust 2, 20232 Mins Read4404 Views
    Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
    Share
    LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

    Anil Varshney, a 78-year-old Indian-American senior systems engineer, has filed a federal lawsuit against Parsons Corporation and the US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin. He alleges wrongful termination from his job for conversing in Hindi on a video call with his dying brother-in-law.

    The incident occurred on 26 September, 2022, when Varshney received a call from his brother-in-law, who was seriously ill. Varshney took the conversation to a vacant cubicle so that he could speak with his brother-in-law for a few minutes, probably for the last time ever, given his condition.  Varshney maintains that he was careful to not have any confidential or sensitive materials pertaining to his work, which involved the US government’s missile defence agency or MDA and Parsons, the missile defence contractor from Alabama.

    However, a white colleague who overheard the Hindi conversation, reported Varshney for wrongfully taking a call with confidential information around him, and thus, violating security and company rules. Surprisingly, Varshney was charged by Parsons of security violation without the matter being investigated. No proof was presented against him either before his termination.

    Varshney’s lawsuit seeks justice, demanding reinstatement to a similar position and removal of disciplinary records. He wishes to be compensated for the  emotional distress that he underwent. He also demands punitive and liquidated damages and attorneys’ fees.

    The company, meanwhile, has denied the allegations and has requested that the lawsuit be dismissed. In fact, Parsons wants Varshney to pay their attorney’s fees.

    This case underscores the need for fair treatment and thorough investigations in sensitive matters. It emphasises the critical role of human resources in handling employee issues with sensitivity and avoiding potential discrimination

    federal lawsuit Firing Lloyd J. Austin missile defence agency wrongful termination
    Share. LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
    HRK News Bureau

    1 Comment

    1. S.K.Verman on August 6, 2023 4:43 pm

      A sad state of affairs at Parsons. Justice delayed is justice denied. Parson is smartly keeping their side of the story CLOSE TO THEIR CHEST?? I would not like to work for such a stupid Employer.

      Reply
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    six + 8 =

    Related Posts

    TCS’ net headcount increases by 5,090 employees in the June quarter

    July 11, 2025

    Texas Instruments India concludes fourth edition of WiSH programme 

    July 10, 2025

    Microsoft shuts Pakistan office after 25 years

    July 10, 2025

    Former Citi executive sues bank over dismissal; cites discrimination

    July 10, 2025

    QUICK HR INSIGHTS

    EDITOR'S PICKS

    Why HR must unite hiring and development to survive

    July 10, 2025

    The 5-to-9 Trap: Is Gen Z’s quest for perfect evenings fuelling a new burnout?

    July 9, 2025

    How AI is creating a workforce of the mentally walking dead

    July 8, 2025

    The tortoise and the hare: Which leadership style conquers chaos?

    July 4, 2025
    Latest Post

    TCS’ net headcount increases by 5,090 employees in the June quarter

    News July 11, 2025

    Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the Indian multinational information technology services firm, has seen a rise…

    Priya Nair is Hindustan Unilever’s first woman CEO and MD

    Movement July 11, 2025

    On 1 August 2025, Hindustan Unilever (HUL) will see its first woman chief executive officer…

    Why leadership development is the most important workforce priority

    Research July 11, 2025

    No industry or sector has been left untouched by the influence of artificial intelligence (AI),…

    McDonald’s AI hiring bot exposes data of job applicants

    Automation July 11, 2025

    How can important data be accessed with a password as simple as ‘123456’? Well, the…

    Asia's No.1 HR Platform

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram LinkedIn WhatsApp Bluesky
    • Our Story
    • Partner with us
    • Career
    • Reach Us
    • Exclusive Features
    • Cover Story
    • Editorial
    • Dive into the Future of Work: Download HRForecast 2024 Now!
    © 2025 HRKatha.com
    • Disclaimer
    • Refunds & Cancellation Policy
    • Terms of Service

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.