Throwaway account for obvious reasons.
Location: NYC. I work at a tech company in New York City. I have been employed for approximately one year with no prior warnings no negative performance feedback and no performance conversations of any kind during my entire tenure.
Here is the timeline:
May 15: I formally emailed HR requesting a reasonable workplace accommodation for cold sensitivity and physical symptoms affecting my ability to work. This is supported by a doctor’s note. HR acknowledged in writing the next day and agreed to provide accommodations.
May 19: Four days later my manager verbally notified me of a Performance Improvement Plan on a recorded call with no HR present.
May 20: Formal PIP document issued with the same HR representative who handled my accommodation request copied. The PIP had no specific examples no measurable targets no success criteria and completely empty outcome columns. First follow up was set for the very next day.
May 27 to 28 overnight: I had been taking daily screenshots of the PIP document since I received it. Overnight the PIP initiation date was changed a completely new performance goal was added all previously empty columns were filled in and descriptions were significantly expanded.
May 28: In the official PIP meeting HR admitted on the official recorded call that the document was changed and was originally only themes. My manager could not provide specific dated examples for any of the five PIP concerns despite my repeated requests.
Additional context:
The prior feedback evidence my manager provided to support the PIP actually shows him giving me complete project ownership and a five month leadership goal one month before the PIP.
I submitted a formal written response asking for the evidence of previous poor performance.
HR has now formally refused in writing that my requests are inappropriate to which they literally committed on providing evidence of past poor performance.
I have laboratory confirmed hormonal abnormalities from blood tests showing multiple values flagged as abnormal. I have a physician letter formally recommending workplace accommodations. I have documented depression and anxiety assessed by multiple therapists due to work stress.
I have never received any prior warnings annual reviews or negative feedback during my entire tenure.
My questions:
How do I find the right employment attorney for NYC disability retaliation cases specifically?
Is the HR written refusal to provide evidence of past poor performance as significant as I think it is?
Any advice on handling the remaining PIP period strategically?