{
  "id": 12973088,
  "title": "Company must pay worker €52,000 after sacking him over fear of flying",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/company-must-pay-worker-52-000-after-sacking-him-over-fear-of-flying",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T22:57:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euro Weekly News",
    "slug": "euro-weekly-news",
    "url": "https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/10/09/company-must-pay-worker-e52000-after-sacking-him-over-fear-of-flying/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Bologna Court of Appeal has overturned a previous decision in favor of Bergami Packaging Solutions, dismissing Giuseppe Capoluongo for his failure to obtain a passport due to his severe fear of flying. Capoluongo, a cabling technician with the company since 2002, had previously informed them of his aerophobia and provided a medical certificate. For over 12 years, he was never asked to travel abroad. However, in 2024, the company repeatedly requested he obtain a passport for potential overseas assignments. Capoluongo, believing the previous agreement still applied, refused, citing his fear of flying. The company dismissed him on March 27, 2024, treating his non-compliance as a disciplinary matter. The appeal court ruled that the dismissal was disproportionate, considering Capoluongo's long-standing condition and the arrangement followed for years. They agreed the company had a legitimate request, but found his dismissal unjustified due to the circumstances. Capoluongo was awarded compensation of approximately €52,000, equivalent to 20 months of his final salary, plus additional payments for notice, interest, and inflation adjustments.",
  "summary": "The fear of flying affects an estimated 500 million people worldwide. Some of those people fly despite their fear, sometimes […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}