Ex-analyst sues Goldman Sachs after losing job ‘because of ADD’

Tribunal: Kwasi Afrifa was said to be “disengaged”
Paul Davey/SWNS

A former Goldman Sachs analyst who claims he lost his job because of his attention deficit disorder is suing the bank for disability discrimination.

Kwasi Afrifa, 31, says the global investment giant made “no effort” to accommodate his condition, eventually forcing him to leave the £50,000-a-year plus bonuses post in May last year.

The former analyst told an employment tribunal he believes he has been robbed of a career in hedge funds or investment banking, losing the chance to amass £11.4 million in earnings and retire at the age of 45.

But Goldman Sachs has dismissed the direct disability discrimination claim as “spurious” and insists Mr Afrifa was a “serial underperformer” at the firm whose work “went from bad to worse”.

Mr Afrifa, a software engineer, worked as an analyst for Goldman Sachs’ fundamental strategies department for four years. But he was accused of missing deadlines, arriving late, failing to turn up at all, and acting “histrionically”.

Goldman Sachs’ offices in Fleet Street
Getty Images

In his witness statement, Mr Afrifa said his efforts to determine and implement adjustments had been ignored and dismissed. He added he lost time and progress “because of the situation”. He said medication for his condition caused insomnia and he struggled to concentrate, leading to typographical errors. Mr Afrifa went on sick leave in January 2017 after a scathing performance review and an extended period of insomnia.

Goldman Sachs said in its statement Mr Afrifa was “indifferent” towards his job, did not follow instructions, did not return forms and “appeared disengaged”. It said efforts had been made to accommodate Mr Afrifa’s condition.

Mr Afrifa claims he suggested adjustments to his work when returning from sick leave, including a transcription service and more time for basic tasks, but they were met with “hostility”. He added that he missed out on his bonus, and resigned in May 2018 — which he attributed to “preconceptions and prejudice around ADD effects.” But James Laddie QC, for Goldman Sachs, argued that “personality factors” led to action being taken against him rather than his ADD.

The court heard Mr Afrifra had taken on additional A-levels before studying aeronautical engineering at Imperial College London, which he argues shows his willingness to work hard while managing his attention deficit disorder.

The tribunal continues.

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