A phobia is an irrational and persistent fear of certain objects, activities, or persons. The most common symptom of this disorder is an obsessive attempt to avoid the feared object. If the fear is beyond a person’s control, or if is interfering with a person’s daily life, they may be diagnosed with anxiety disorder. Phobias are very common, and are most often linked with anxiety disorders. Some therapists work through an individual’s phobias by desensitizing them to the feared object. Other therapists recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy, which allows the patient to understand the negative thought patterns and how to change them.

If you have a phobia, you are likely protected from discrimination at work based on this phobia. Some examples of ways in which you may be a victim of discrimination include your boss not allowing you to miss work for medical appointments, your employer not accommodating your need to take a reasonable time off work, your employer not providing you with reasonable on-site accommodations for your disability, and your boss not accommodating your need to attend psychotherapy or counseling sessions to control your phobia.

If you have been a victim of discrimination based on your phobia, you may be able to bring a discrimination lawsuit. In order to sue, you must be able to show that you are disabled, that your disability has resulted in physical limitations, that you can still perform the essential tasks of your job, and that your boss has taken an adverse action against you. An ‘adverse action’ may include not hiring you, firing you, demoting you on the basis of your phobia. If you think you may have been a victim of discrimination or if you have questions about your legal rights, contact the experienced lawyers at Law Offices of David H. Greenberg. You can reach us at can reach us at 1-888-204-1014 for a free consultation. You can also visit us at www.discriminationattorney.com to learn more about disability discrimination.