Employee sues boss for “being” celebrated birthday, won 450,000 USD

According to Miami Herald, that is an employee of the company Gravity Dianostics in Kenton County in Northern Kentucky (USA). According to court documents, the employee had previously informed her office manager that the party birthday can trigger his anxiety disorder, and being “the center of attention” can trigger a panic attack.

Therefore, this employee wished the agency would not organize a birthday party for him like they did for other employees.

Gravity Dianostics Headquarters – Photo: Gravity Dianostics

However, according to wlky, On August 7, 2021, the birthday party is still held at lunchtime. This employee said he fell into a panic and suddenly left the office, spent his lunch break in the car, and sent a message to his manager about his request not to hold the party. response.

The next day, the employee was summoned to a meeting and “faced with criticism” from his manager, which he said caused another panic attack. He was given leave for the next 2 days and then received notice of termination.

The employee filed a lawsuit against Gravity Diagnostics on the grounds of “disability discrimination and retaliation”, alleging that events inconsistent with his anxiety disorder cost him “loss of income and benefits, emotional distress and mental anxiety”.

The jury sided with the employee and found that Gravity Diagnostics violated Kentucky law protecting workers with disabilities.

Defendant is required to pay plaintiff $450,000 including $300,000 for emotional distress and $150,000 for lost income.