Jason Jordan v. City of Union City, Georgia

**The Dispute** Jason Jordan worked as a probationary police officer for the City of Union City, Georgia. Jordan had anxiety disorders that caused him to have anxiety attacks. He claimed the city discriminated against him because of his disability and failed to provide reasonable accommodations for his condition. **The Court's Decision** The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the city. The court found that Jordan was not protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) because he could not perform essential job functions. Specifically, the court determined that handling high-stress situations is a core requirement for police officers, and Jordan's anxiety attacks prevented him from managing these stressful circumstances effectively. Since he couldn't perform this essential function of the job, the court concluded he wasn't a "qualified individual" entitled to ADA protections. **What This Means for Workers** This case shows that the ADA doesn't protect all workers with disabilities. To receive ADA protections, employees must be able to perform the essential functions of their job, even with reasonable accommodations. Workers in high-stress positions like law enforcement may face additional challenges proving they can handle job requirements when their disability directly impacts stress management.