Bus Driver's "Shy Bladder Syndrome" a Disability
A school bus driver who was demoted after his "shy bladder syndrome" left him unable to comply with his employer's drug testing procedures may proceed with claims under the Americans with Disabilites Act (ADA) according to a recent ruling from a Tennessee federal court. Click here to read the full opinion in Melman v. Metropolitan Government of Nashville.
In Melman, the plaintiff was required to submit to random drug tests. During two tests he could not provide an "adequate" urine sample, and explained that he could not because of a "shy bladder." A urologist diagnosed the plaintiff with paruresis (aka shy bladder syndrome) and offered to perform the urine sampling via catheterization. The employer declined that offer. Instead, it placed the plaintiff on unpaid leave, required him to attend a drug rehabilitation program at his own expense, and demoted him to a position as a bus monitor. (Notably, the plaintiff ultimately did provide a negative sample obtained via catheter.) The court denied the employer's motion to dismiss, holding that shy bladder syndrome substantially limited the plantiff's major life function of eliminating bodily waste.
Employers with drug testing programs should take note: employees who are unable to comply with standard drug testing procedures may have a qualifying disability, especially given the more liberal standards under the ADA Amendments Act. Employers should not shy away (okay, bad pun) from engaging in the interactive process with the employee to find ways that the employee can comply with the procedures - such as providing a sample through catheterization. The International Paruresis Association also provides suggestions for accommodating shy bladder syndrome.
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I have that. I would like a disabled parking placard to be closer to the bathroom.
I also demand a badge that allows me to have all current occupants leave, and to close the bathroom to all others, until I can go.
Is this syndrome common ?
This is a very common condition and situation. The most recent US and Canadian surveys, done independently indicated up to 7% of men and women have this problem. Psychiatrists (Eric Hollander-Coping with Social Anxiety Disorder) state that Shy Bladder (paruresis) is one of the 6 common symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder. But even "normal" people can freeze up under the threat of losing their job for a drug test. I had paruresis from age 10 and didn't find help till I was 49 and bumped into the IPA organization. This is not a plug for them, its just that no other large non-profit or commercial organization has stood up to help this community. You all know folks with shy bladder, but they likely too embarassed to talk about it to you :-(