The standard under Pennsylvania law for an employee (or likely former employee) to state a claim for Intentional Infliction of emotional distress is high. Just how high was discussed in the recent case of Schaffhouser v. Transedge Truck Center, No. 19-5811-KSM (June 2, 2020).

Abusive Behavior Since Second Day of Work

William Schaffhouser started work as a salesperson at Transedge in March 2019. His first day at work was unremarkable, but on day two, Schaffhouser’s supervisor, John Martin, summoned him to the office by stating: “Helen Keller, come in here.” This started what was alleged to be a three-month course of abuse directed at Schaffhouser by Martin, during which he was repeatedly referred to as “Helen Keller” (the case makes no mention of Schaffhouser having any actual hearing or sight limitations), was often summoned by Martin “slapping his thigh as if calling for a dog to come and saying ‘come here, come here’ and other demeaning actions. Schaffhouser also claimed that Martin refused to communicate with him at work, making it “nearly impossible” to succeed.