A Netflix executive earning $1.1 million annually is suing the streaming service after his termination following a revelation made during a company retreat. Kevin Baillie, vice president and head of creative at Eyeline Studios, alleges he was fired after admitting to using medically prescribed ketamine for depression.
Baillie attended the retreat at Sendero Ranch, a Netflix-owned property in Northern California, in January. During a session described as a "vulnerability-trust exercise," Baillie, 48, disclosed that he had taken ketamine in October and November 2022 at a Santa Barbara clinic. He stated the treatment was medically supervised and intended to address clinical depression following his mother's death.
According to the lawsuit, Baillie explained his reasons for undergoing ketamine therapy to his employer. However, several months later, in March, a company investigator reportedly raised the issue, suggesting suspicion of recreational drug use. By April, Baillie was terminated, with a company attorney confirming that the "ketamine therapy issue has factored into the termination," the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit further claims Baillie was denied severance pay after his dismissal. Baillie also alleges that the investigation looked into his alleged profanity use and drinking habits, asserting that he was not the only one engaging in such behaviors. He reported being previously advised during a performance review to "drop one or two less f-bombs but don’t stop entirely."
Regarding drinking, Baillie stated that he consumed a Guinness beer and performed a headstand trick at the same retreat after sharing he learned it from his former father-in-law. His colleagues reportedly asked for a demonstration, which he provided rather than withholding openness encouraged by the session.
Baillie's lawsuit contends that the company environment is alcohol-friendly and that such behavior was encouraged by Jeff Shapiro, the CEO of Eyeline Studios. The filing states Shapiro purchased beer for a group during company outings and maintained a personal bar in his office from which he served alcohol, including after meetings with Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos.
Baillie, who worked on VFX for franchises such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Harry Potter, is seeking a jury trial and damages for lost wages, emotional distress, and punitive measures. Netflix and Eyeline have been contacted for comment.