Bologna court awards worker 52,000 euros after dismissal over fear of flying

The Court of Appeal of Bologna has ruled in favor of Giuseppe Capoluongo, a wiring technician who was awarded over 52,000 euros after being wrongfully dismissed due to his fear of flying.

Capoluongo, an employee at Bergami Packaging Solutions in Altedo di Malalbergo since 2002, had previously disclosed his aerophobia to his employer in 2011. Following a medical certification and union involvement with Fiom, the company had agreed not to require him to travel by air for over 12 years. However, when the company requested he obtain a passport for potential international travel, Capoluongo delayed the process for several weeks.

While the court acknowledged that the company's request for a passport was legitimate and that the employee's delay could constitute a disciplinary issue, the judges ruled that dismissal was a disproportionate response. The court noted that the decision failed to account for the worker's long-standing documented aerophobia. Consequently, the court overturned a previous lower court ruling, granting the worker an indemnity equivalent to 20 months of salary.