Man Awarded $450K After Being Given A Birthday Party
He asked that they not celebrate his birthday
He did not want a birthday party at his work
A man in Kentucky asked his former employer not to celebrate his birthday. He said that such an event could trigger a panic attack for him. Against his wishes, his employer ignored his request. They held a surprise lunchtime celebration for him. He got upset and was fired days later.
He has filed a lawsuit against the company.
Minyvonne Burke of NBC News wrote a story titled: ““Man told job not to celebrate his birthday. He was awarded $450K following unwanted party.”
The report indicated: On March 31, a jury awarded him $450,000. The jury found that [the man] suffered an “adverse employment action” because of his anxiety disability, court documents show.
Since that company has a regular practice of having birthday celebrations at the office for all employees, the man requested ahead of time that they not celebrate his birthday. They went ahead and had a party for him. It was a surprise held in the lunchroom at the office. The man did have a panic attack according to the suit. He left the party and finished his lunch in his car.
He texted his manager about the situation. He was called into a meeting the next day and criticized. He had another panic attack and was sent home. He was then terminated from his job.
The man has sued for disability discrimination and retaliation.
The company stands behind their actions. The man’s attorney mentioned that employers should understand mental health issues. Apparently, the man had a good case.
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