can i sue my job for firing me because i dont look happy
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can i sue my job for firing me because i dont look happy
I suffer very badly with depression,anxiety and mood disorders every day was a
struggle to work and made my health worst.
Asked on May 6, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, District of Columbia
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
If you have an actual medical diagnosis of depression, anxiety, or mood disorders *and* made your employer aware of this, then to fire you because of this condition (e.g. because you don't "look happy") is likely illegal disability-based discrimination (mental or psychological conditions can be disabilities) and you may entitled to reinstatement and/or monetary compensation. But you must be diagnosed: without an actual medical diagnosis, it is not a disability in the law's eyes. And you must have made the employer aware of it: if not, the employer did nothing wrong, since not knowing of a disability or condition, it did not discriminate against you due to it. If illegal disability-based discrimination was not involved, then this would have been illegal: an employer may generally fire an employee at any time, for any reason whatsoever.
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