Worker ‘sacked simply 47 seconds into a brand new job’ after ‘panic assault on first day’
A healthcare worker claims they were fired on their first day after a panic attack, alleging they were ignored when lost. The employee says they had disclosed stress issues
A worker says they were sacked just 47 seconds into a job(Image: Getty Images)
A worker claims they were sacked just 47 seconds into a job. The employee was reportedly on a phone call on their first day at a healthcare job when they suffered a panic attack.
But staff are said to have ignored them as they struggled to find their way around. The incident reportedly happened on July 23 in Stockholm County, Sweden, at a healthcare provider linked to an elderly care setting.
The incident became public knowledge the next day. The employee has now reportedly filed a complaint with Sweden’s Equality Ombudsman (DO), claiming they were punished for a health condition.
The employee was allegedly in a phone call on their very first day at a healthcare job, when they reportedly suffered a panic attack(Image: Getty Images)
They further argue that the firing could amount to disability discrimination. According to reports referenced in the case, the employee had been upfront during the interview about their mental health.
They explained they can become highly stressed in unfamiliar situations and sometimes need a few minutes to compose themselves, it is claimed.
Their manager is said to have accepted this, telling them it would be completely fine. But the worker claims that promise evaporated on day one, Mitt i reported.
Staff allegedly ignored them as they struggled to find their way around(Image: Getty Images/Johner RF)
They arrived early to give themselves plenty of time to change into their uniform, but couldn’t find the staff changing room. When they asked nearby members of staff for help, they claim they were ignored.
With their shift about to begin, the employee said they became overwhelmed and suffered a severe anxiety attack. They stepped into a stairwell to calm down, then texted their manager explaining what was happening.
The distressed employee reportedly went on to apologise for the delay, and were being honest about how they were feeling, expecting support based on what had been discussed at interview. Instead, they say the manager immediately called back and ended their employment there and then.
During the 47-second call, the worker claims the manager said the company could not employ someone if they couldn’t be sure the person would show up for scheduled shifts. The employee pleaded for five minutes to get themselves together and start work, but was refused and told they were fired, it is alleged.
The worker claims they never received any written notice of termination afterwards. In their complaint, the employee has urged the watchdog to investigate the healthcare provider for possible discrimination. The employee’s name, the manager’s identity and the specific job title have not been disclosed to protect privacy.
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