Man told employer not to celebrate his birthday. He was awarded $450,000 after unwanted party. – NBC News
Kevin Berling, who regularly suffers panic attacks, asked his employer not to throw him a birthday party because it would trigger a panic attack. Against his wishes, his employer threw one anyway, and Kevin Berling quickly had a panic attack requiring him to flee the office and retreat to his car. He angrily texted the manager for doing this against his wishes.
The next day Kevin was called to a meeting at the office, where he was confronted about the incident, and the confrontation triggered another panic attack. A few days later, he was terminated from employment.
On March 31, a jury awarded him $450,000. The jury discovered that Berling suffered an “adverse employment action” due to his anxiety disability. What would you do with a $450,000 birthday surprise?
Read more on this at the following additional news sources:
- Man told employer not to celebrate his birthday. He was awarded $450,000 after unwanted party. NBC News
- Kentucky man’s birthday surprise costs his employer $450k after adverse reaction Fox Business
- Jury Awards $450,000 to Man Fired Over Unwanted Office Birthday Party The New York Times
- Jury awards $450,000 to employee who declined birthday party Chron
- Worker wins $450,000 after an office birthday party he didn’t ask for triggers anxiety The Independent
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