| Complainant | Thomas D. Coates |
|---|---|
| Respondent(s) | Cox Communications, Inc. & MetLife |
| Agency Inquiry Ref. | EEOC Inquiry ID: [REDACTED] |
| Regulatory Oversight |
IRS, SSA, VEC, DOL, DOJ (Civil Rights), OFCCP Subject to oversight under 5 U.S.C. § 552, 29 U.S.C. § 206, and 42 U.S.C. § 12112. |
| Category | Violation Summary |
|---|---|
| 2.1.5 | Denial of Access to HR Services & Payroll System—Plaintiff was locked out of Workday without notice, and only discovered termination through IT help desk confirmation. |
| 2.1.6 / 2.1.7 | Failure to Process and Respond to ADA Accommodation Requests—Despite clear communication and a physician letter, Cox failed to act in good faith or resubmit forms as required. |
| 3.1.4 | Payroll and Wage Fraud—Paystubs show continued employer-paid benefits despite Cox’s claim of voluntary resignation, including false reporting of a $0 final paycheck. |
| 3.1.5 | Denial of Workday System Access—Unlawful pre-termination restriction on digital HR portal violated due process and ADA/FMLA notice standards. |
| 5.1.8–5.1.14 | False SSA and IRS Reporting—Incorrect payroll records and retroactive changes caused IRS and SSA reporting violations; IRS W-2 reconciliation likely flawed. |
| 6.1.11–6.1.14 | Unprocessed Disability Payments—No accommodation-based reconciliation occurred before Cox’s unilateral termination. |
| 7.1–7.8 | Pending Unresolved Federal Filings—Includes SSA and IRS reporting violations, EEOC/DOJ retaliation claims, and wage withholding irregularities. |
As of January 2025, the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) acknowledged that the prior denial of benefits to Thomas Coates was based on inaccurate employer reporting by Cox Communications. The termination was initially coded as "voluntary separation" and “job abandonment,” which was reversed following appeal and administrative review.
On review, the VEC found that the employer’s submissions lacked veracity and failed to conform with state employment recordkeeping requirements under Virginia Code § 60.2-618(B)(2). Further, retroactive changes made by Cox from July–September 2024 and beyond indicate ongoing manipulation of employment records, which violated both federal and state standards.
As a result, Mr. Coates was reinstated into full VEC eligibility, with retroactive and ongoing unemployment benefits disbursed. This action statutorily locks the VEC's finding and represents state-level confirmation of employer wrongdoing with material federal implications.