Ex-bank worker files lawsuit over Chucky doll joke causing anxiety

Bank Employee Sues for Discrimination and Retaliation Over Chucky Prank

A former employee of Truste Bank has filed a lawsuit claiming she faced discrimination and retaliation after a series of pranks involving a Chucky doll intensified her anxiety disorder.

Debra Jones alleges that a co-worker placed the Chucky doll—a character known for its sinister reputation—in her office chair, fully aware of her fear of it, according to reports from the New York Post. Following this incident, she claims she was diagnosed with PTSD and discussed her fear of the doll with her manager during a company cookout. The stress it caused exacerbated her existing conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder.

After taking two months of medical leave, Jones returned to work only to find that she was treated differently upon her return. She alleged that her manager retaliated against her when she needed accommodations related to her autoimmune disorder.

Claims of Discrimination in the Workplace

According to the lawsuit, after Jones returned to her new office with a new supervisor, she continued to experience discrimination based on her disability. The complaint states that her colleagues felt they also needed leave, suggesting a broader issue within the workplace.

In March, Jones was let go, with her manager reportedly telling her that she could not keep using her disability as an excuse. The lawsuit, filed in North Carolina in May, accuses the bank of violating the Disability Act and seeks compensatory damages.

Chucky, the doll in question, originated from the 1988 horror film “Child’s Play,” where the spirit of a dead serial killer inhabits a doll, leading to gruesome events.