A Kentucky man with an anxiety disorder asked his employer not to celebrate his birthday because it would trigger a panic attack.
Highlights
- Kevin Berling asked his employer not to celebrate his birthday because it would trigger a panic attack.
- When the company, Gravity Diagnostics, ignored his request and had a surprise lunchtime celebration for him on Aug.
- 7, 2019, he got upset.
- A jury awarded him $450,000 on March 31, a jury found that Berling suffered an “adverse employment action” because of his anxiety disability.
- The company stands by its decision, saying Berling was terminated for violating a “workplace violence policy” Berling’s attorney says his client posed no threat to the building, that employers shouldn’t make assumptions about individuals with mental health issues.