A worker claims they were sacked just 47 seconds into a job after suffering a panic attack on their first day. The employee had disclosed stress issues during the interview.
Details of the incident
The incident took place on July 23 in Stockholm County, Sweden, at a healthcare provider linked to an elderly care setting. The employee arrived early but could not find the staff changing room and said they were ignored when asking for help.
As their shift was about to begin, the worker became overwhelmed and suffered a severe anxiety attack. They stepped into a stairwell to calm down and texted their manager to explain the situation.
Employment terminated in 47 seconds
The employee apologized for the delay and expressed honesty about their feelings, expecting support based on prior discussions. Instead, the manager called back and ended their employment during a 47-second phone call.
The worker claims the manager said the company could not employ someone if they couldn't be sure the person would show up for scheduled shifts. The employee pleaded for five minutes to compose themselves but was refused and told they were fired.
Complaint filed
The worker never received written notice of termination. They filed a complaint with Sweden's Equality Ombudsman (DO), arguing the firing amounts to disability discrimination. The employee had been upfront during the interview about their mental health, and the manager accepted it, but that promise evaporated on the first day.
The names of the employee, manager, and specific job title have not been disclosed to protect privacy.
