Man Sues for "Bipolar Discrimination"

Thanks to Beliefnet's Lilit Marcus for finding this story about a guy with bipolar disorder getting $80,000 from his company on discrimination charges. Read the entire article on Canada.com by clicking here. I've excerpted from it below.

An $80,000 judgment against an Ottawa company that dismissed a man with bipolar disorder has been upheld by an Ontario court. 

In 2001, Paul Lane was dismissed from his new job as a quality assurance analyst with ADGA Groups Consulting Inc., after advising a supervisor that he required accommodations for his bipolar disorder.

Last year, the Ontario Human Rights Commission found that ADGA discriminated against Lane, and awarded him nearly $80,000. After his dismissal, Lane became deeply depressed and was hospitalized for 12 days. He lost his savings, wife and home.

A recent appeal of that case was dismissed by an Ontario Divisional Court on Aug. 8 and the tribunal's award was upheld. The commission's cross-appeal to increase the sum awarded for damages was also dismissed.

The case marked the first time the commission had dealt specifically with the needs of employees who suffer from bipolar disorder and the obligation of employers to accommodate them.

Dhir said the decision by the divisional court was also important because it recognized that mental disabilities often create fear and stereotyping. A person may have no limitations in everyday activities other than those created by prejudice and stereotypes, he said.

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