Feb 20 β€’ 10:50 UTC πŸ‡§πŸ‡· Brazil Folha (PT)

Court rules on the dismissal of a young finance sector employee in the US who asked for 9 hours of sleep a day

A court is reviewing the case of Kathryn Shiber, who was dismissed from her finance job after requesting a guaranteed period for sleep to manage her mental health condition.

Kathryn Shiber, a junior analyst at the elite advisory firm Centerview Partners in New York, was granted the unique arrangement of having nine hours of guaranteed sleep each night to manage her diagnosed mood and anxiety disorder. This arrangement is seen as civilized compared to the typical demands placed on young bankers, especially during the early stages of their careers. However, her employment took a turn when she was terminated just three weeks after the agreement was instituted. During a video call, the operations director expressed concern that her request for sufficient rest conflicted with her ambitions in investment banking, particularly after she had applied for a new position in that field. Following her dismissal, Shiber pursued legal action against Centerview, claiming disability discrimination at the federal and state levels. This case has drawn attention to the ongoing struggles for mental health accommodations in high-pressure work environments, particularly within the finance sector. The outcome of Shiber's case may have broader implications for workplace policies regarding mental health, potentially influencing how firms allocate support for employees with disabilities in competitive sectors. The court's ruling could set a precedent for future cases where mental health and work-life balance intersect, especially as discussions around employee well-being continue to gain traction in various industries.

πŸ“‘ Similar Coverage