Michael Joyce Sues Ascension Over 2-Year 'Terminated' Email Reply After 2024 Settlement
Updated
Updated · HRD America · May 11
Michael Joyce Sues Ascension Over 2-Year 'Terminated' Email Reply After 2024 Settlement
1 articles · Updated · HRD America · May 11
Summary
May 9's federal lawsuit says Ascension left a custom auto-reply on Michael Joyce's old work email for more than two years, stating his employment "has been terminated" despite a 2024 settlement classifying his exit as voluntary.
The complaint says the message surfaced around June 20, 2025, routed urgent inquiries to supervisor Ryan Orlowski, and deviated from Ascension's usual generic replies that typically shut off after about three months.
September 2025 notice from Joyce's lawyer prompted Ascension to say on Nov. 19 that the message had been removed and its origin was under investigation; Joyce says he heard nothing further and filed a retaliation EEOC charge in January 2026.
Joyce seeks back pay, reinstatement or front pay, punitive and compensatory damages, fees and costs, plus a Texas defamation claim; Ascension has not yet responded in court, and the allegations remain untested.