Santosh Patole had complained to the National Human Rights Commission and sat on a hunger strike outside the company’s office in December 2025. (Source: FB)
A former employee at a multinational company has alleged wrongful termination while undergoing active treatment for thyroid cancer in Pune. Santosh Patole, who worked as a facilities manager at SLB (Schlumberger) and had been with the company for over eight years, alleges that he was terminated in July 2025, shortly after returning to work following his treatment.
Patole filed a complaint with the labour commissioner’s office in Pune, and the first hearing in the case was held on December 24, 2025.
Kasturi Mahatme, Government Labour Officer, told The Indian Express that the second hearing would take place on January 7, Wednesday, where the company will submit a written reply.
According to Patole, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in May 2025 and underwent treatment at Jupiter Hospital in Baner. He rejoined work on July 1, and a “fit to resume work” certificate from the hospital was submitted to his employer a few days later.
Patole alleges that he was served a termination notice on July 23 without any prior notice or performance-related discussions. He says that till his last working day, no warning letter or showcause notice was issued. Nor was any disciplinary action ever initiated against him, he adds. The termination notice cited reasons like ”financial loss”, which Patole says are untrue. He also says he received “outstanding” ratings in annual appraisals in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Patole had complained to the National Human Rights Commission and sat on a hunger strike outside the company’s office in December 2025. He said, “I hold an HSE Level 3 certification and have worked in corporate risk enablement roles. This background enabled me to objectively identify compliance and risk gaps in how my termination was handled, and therefore, I approached statutory institutions in a structured and lawful manner.”
In his complaint to the labour commissioner, Patole has sought that an inquiry be initiated into his termination and explanation as well as records be demanded from SLB regarding its actions. He also sought reinstatement or corrective action and/or compensation for wrongful termination during medical treatment.
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