What to do if my employer is making it mandatory to travel cross-country to attend a company meeting if I have fear of flying?
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What to do if my employer is making it mandatory to travel cross-country to attend a company meeting if I have fear of flying?
Is that discrimination if I my lose job?
Asked on January 19, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Wisconsin
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
No, it is not discrimination, at least not in a legal sense: federal law only prohibits discrimiantion on the basis of race, sex, religion, age over 40, or disability (and fear of flying does not meet the rather strict criteria for being a "disability"). Some states protect certain other characteristics, such as sexual orientation or national origin, but I am unaware of any state law which would make it illegal to require an employee who is afraid of flying to fly.
If the employer is making the meeting mandatory, then they certainly could terminate you if you do not attend. You may need to consider other options, such as using vacation days, before and after the meeting, to give yourself time to drive or take a train.
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