A Redmond mom claims BECU fired her while she was on disability leave after her son’s death.
In a lawsuit filed in Seattle federal court last month, Claudia Purcell alleges the credit union discriminated against her disability, failed to provide accommodations, and retaliated against her after she raised concerns about her treatment.
Purcell, who worked for the credit union for about five years, developed severe emotional trauma after her son drowned in Lake Washington and later took medical leave related to that trauma, according to the lawsuit.
When she returned to work, she faced hostility from management and was denied a requested transfer that she said was needed as a reasonable accommodation, according to the complaint.
A manager dismissed her request, and the transfer was later blocked despite support from another supervisor, the lawsuit alleges.
Purcell alleges that after filing a complaint about her treatment, the situation worsened and she continued to face retaliation. The lawsuit also claims she was subjected to continued contact from a manager she had raised concerns about, despite medical advice to limit that interaction.
Purcell further alleges she experienced ongoing harassment from another manager and that the company failed to take corrective action after being notified, according to the complaint.
She was terminated in December 2025, while on long-term disability leave, which she claims was in retaliation for her complaints and requests for accommodation.
The complaint includes claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Washington Law Against Discrimination, and whistleblower protection laws.
Purcell requested a jury trial and is seeking damages, including compensation for emotional distress and attorney fees.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a notice allowing the lawsuit to proceed but did not make a determination on the merits of the claims, according to documents included in the filing.
Puget Press has reached out to BECU for comment.
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