According to Rickards, Esqueda, who managed the UPS center where Rickards worked, reacted angrily when he learned of Rickards' back injury and did not take him to see a doctor immediately. Raising his voice, Phaykaisorn followed Rickards, got in front of him, and placed a hand on Rickards' chest to stop him. Esqueda interviewed Rickards and Phaykaisorn about the incident and terminated Rickards for unprofessional conduct and unprovoked assault on a supervisor. In declarations, Rickards and his attorney stated that the attorney was authorized to file the complaint on Rickards' behalf. Rickards also relies on his declaration that, "[a]round the time" of Rickards' back injury, Esqueda threatened to have Rickards fired within two weeks.

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