A Kentucky man was awarded $450,000 in a lawsuit against his former employer, Gravity Diagnostics after they refused to honor a request for a reasonable accommodation due to a known disability.
Kevin Berling sued Gravity Diagnostics after they fired him over his reaction to a surprise office birthday party he requested they refrain from having for him.
Berling—who lives with an anxiety disorder—requested his birthday not be celebrated because he knew the office party would be likely to cause a panic attack.
During testimony, Berling said:
"That day is a day that is very stressful and causes a lot of anxiety for me."
That request was not honored, though, and Berling found a party waiting for him in the lunch room on August 7, 2019.
As he had anticipated, the event triggered a panic attack and he quickly grabbed his lunch and went to eat in his car and weather the panic.
When he met with his supervisor, Amy Blackburn, and the Director of Business Operations, Ted Knauf, the next day to discuss the former day's events, things got even worse. He was reportedly berated for how he had reacted and accused of "stealing his co-workers' joy" and "being a little girl" about the whole situation.
This triggered another panic attack and Blackburn claimed she feared Berling "was going to literally strike her" because he was sitting silently with his fists clenched—likely using a common coping mechanism for dealing with anxiety which involves deep breaths and focusing on one's body until the panic passes.
She further said he "commanded silence while shaking" when she and Knauf asked if he was alright.
Instead of inflicting or even threatening any violence, Berling left a few minutes later when he was sent home until Monday of the following week.
According to legal filings:
"This confrontation triggered another panic attack."
"At the conclusion of this meeting and because plaintiff had a panic attack, plaintiff was sent home from work for the remainder of August 8 and August 9."
While some accused him of being overly sensitive, many Twitter users who have lived experience with anxiety disorders were firmly on Berling's side.
.@GravityCLIALab So, you didn\u2019t take an employee\u2019s request seriously, your actions made him feel unwell, you berated him when he returned to the office and then you fired him? For a situation you created? Incredibly disrespectful and insensitive.https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-told-job-not-celebrate-birthday-was-awarded-450k-unwanted-party-rcna24698\u00a0\u2026— sydney \ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@sydney \ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1650321059
Man told employer not to celebrate his birthday because he has anxiety. They throw a party, triggering a panic attack. They then fire him for said panic attack. Is there any possible way employers will show the slightest bit of respect for their employees?https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-told-job-not-celebrate-birthday-was-awarded-450k-unwanted-party-rcna24698\u00a0\u2026— Josh Tyler (@Josh Tyler) 1650339281
A surprise party at that? Why? Just buy donuts for the office that day and mind your business.— Cheryl Lynn Eaton (@Cheryl Lynn Eaton) 1650249700
When someone says they don't like big public recognition of their birthday, this is why you should listen.https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-told-job-not-celebrate-birthday-was-awarded-450k-unwanted-party-rcna24698\u00a0\u2026— Jeremy Martin (@Jeremy Martin) 1650380930
"No birthday party please, I will have a panic attack."\n*surprise party*\n*panic attack*\n\nThe next day his boss calls him in to lecture him for having a panic attack.\n*panic attack*\n\nThe next week they fired him for his behavior re: having two panic attacks.— Matt (@Matt) 1650217593
Today in Company Culture\n\nBday parties: great!\nEven if they're unwanted. \nAnd cause distress. \nIf that's a problem, you're to blame. \nAnd you're fired. \n\n\n\nMan told employer not to celebrate his birthday. He was awarded $450,000 after unwanted party.https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-told-job-not-celebrate-birthday-was-awarded-450k-unwanted-party-rcna24698\u00a0\u2026— Sean Perlmutter (@Sean Perlmutter) 1650295674
When someone tells you no, and you decide you know their mind better than they do...\nYeah, folks get upset when you violate their consent.Https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-told-job-not-celebrate-birthday-was-awarded-450k-unwanted-party-rcna24698\u00a0\u2026— shagreh (@shagreh) 1650159418
Gravity Diagnostics COO and founder Julie Brazil maintains her current employees are the true victims of the incident, not the plaintiff—insinuating Berling was a threat because he suffers from an anxiety disorder.
"With ever-increasing incidents of workplace violence, this verdict sets a very dangerous precedent for employers and most importantly employees that unless physical violence actually occurs, workplace violence is acceptable."
A spokesperson for Gravity Diagnostics said:
"This female supervisor and the other employee were both absolutely terrified for their physical safety."
Berling has declined requests to be interviewed, but his attorney Tony Bucher told WKRC Berling was simply using coping techniques to try to calm down during the meeting:
"They started giving him a pretty hard time for his response to the birthday celebration, actually accusing him of stealing his co-workers' joy."
It would seem the jury agreed with Bucher's assessment, as Berling was awarded $300,000 for emotional distress and a further $150,000 for lost wages.
