Stephanie Gambini
In April 2001, Gambini had an emotional breakdown at work following several months of depression and anxiety. After her breakdown, Gambini visited a mental health professional and was told that her symptoms indicated that she had bipolar disorder. By the end of April 2002, Gambini's symptoms had worsened. She was irritable and easily distracted. During this period, Gambini's supervisors met to discuss her poor job performance. The meeting resulted in a performance improvement plan. The supervisors presented the plan to Gambini on July 11, 2002. When Gambini read the first sentence of the plan stating that her "attitude and general disposition are no longer acceptable in the department," she began to cry. She grew increasingly agitated as she read, and when she finished, she threw the document across the desk and began using foul language. Gambini said the plan was both unfair and unwarranted. She left the meeting and returned to her cubicle, where she began kicking and throwing objects.
Gambini then left a message for the company's psychiatric nurse practitioner, Bobbie Fletcher. In the message, Gambini discussed how upset she was over the meeting and that she felt suicidal. Early the next day, Fletcher called Gambini and urged her to go to the hospital. Fletcher then called Gambini's boyfriend to pick her up. Gambini's supervisor provided medical leave forms and facilitated the medical leave with human resources. During Gambini's absence, several employees e-mailed their supervisors to complain. The employees said that Gambini was volatile and difficult to work with. On July 17, Gambini's supervisors called her on her cell phone and fired her. Three days later, Gambini sent a letter to her supervisor saying that her outburst at the meeting had been due to bipolar disorder and asking that the company reconsider its decision. The supervisors denied the request. Gambini filed a lawsuit claiming that the company discriminated against her because of her disability.
Gambini then left a message for the company's psychiatric nurse practitioner, Bobbie Fletcher. In the message, Gambini discussed how upset she was over the meeting and that she felt suicidal. Early the next day, Fletcher called Gambini and urged her to go to the hospital. Fletcher then called Gambini's boyfriend to pick her up. Gambini's supervisor provided medical leave forms and facilitated the medical leave with human resources. During Gambini's absence, several employees e-mailed their supervisors to complain. The employees said that Gambini was volatile and difficult to work with. On July 17, Gambini's supervisors called her on her cell phone and fired her. Three days later, Gambini sent a letter to her supervisor saying that her outburst at the meeting had been due to bipolar disorder and asking that the company reconsider its decision. The supervisors denied the request. Gambini filed a lawsuit claiming that the company discriminated against her because of her disability.