[Cagey]

Christine Drake, left, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's Lisa Cox, Luis Lucero and Kathryn Olson meet with the media at the Federal Building.

[Patrick1]

Drake, who currently is not employed, is bipolar and has major depression, borderline personality and attention deficit disorders

Sounds like she should be head of the DNC.

[AppyPappy]

Drake, who currently is not employed, is bipolar and has major depression, borderline personality and attention deficit disorders,

Nightmare employee. I bet she ran off more customers than anyone.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

I can see this charming gal behind the counter. "Yeah, whadda ya want"? But then that sums up so many wait staff that one runs into these days.

[TexasCajun]

Cybil ask EEOC for back pay, overtime and vacation pay for her many personalities.

Saying "I never knew when I was coming or going!"

[AxelPaulsenJr]

That pic looks like the du board of directors.

[MadeInAmerica]

The NERVE of this company. Who are they to choose what type of employee they hire. Put her in front of that blazing hot steamer and turn her loose. Oh, might want to up the work comp coverage first.

[Gordongekko909]

When Christine Drake worked as a Starbucks barista, the Seattle woman with psychiatric disabilities said it was the first time in her life that she "felt a sense of accomplishment."

Translation: she's nuts.

[ClearCase_guy]

However, when a new manager took over in August 2003, that person -- who is not identified in the suit -- no longer provided those accommodations.

New manager: "This is a business, not a charity. You've been on the job two years and still haven't learned how to perform basic tasks? You're fired."

[weegee]

"What are you? Stupid???"

"..yes. But you can't tell the customers that..."

[Tijeras_Slim]

[kemathen7]

Usually I side with employers on most issues like this, but in this case, I'm having some sympathy for the employee (I will say my only knowledge of the case is whats in this article).

So the employee is a little mixed up in the head. I think that taking a little extra time to make coffee, and not having her make drinks during peak hours is not a big deal. And I can't imagine that Starbucks has people banging down their doors asking to work for them. I can only assume she was a good employee during the two years the accomodations were made.

I think good ol' Bucky's got themselves a manager who takes making coffee a bit too seriously. Is it worth hundreds of thousands of dollars? Probably not, but she's entitled to something. Starbucks made a boo-boo.

[P-Marlowe]

In light of all the HIPPA laws, I'm curious as to how her manager found out that this woman is bipolar and has major depression, borderline personality and attention deficit disorders. I suspect that because of her attention deficit disorder she very well may not have been doing a good job.

In order to discriminate against someone BECAUSE of their disability, one would have to know that the person had a disability in the first place. It is quite possible that the symptoms of a combination of "bipolar, major depression, borderline personality and attention deficit disorders" resemble the more common workplace disorder known as "laziness."

[GOP Poet]

However, when a new manager took over in August 2003, that person -- who is not identified in the suit -- no longer provided those accommodations, the EEOC said. Drake said she was told by that manager that she was "not Starbucks material" before she was fired in May 2004.

I would give her a day and see how she performs, maybe two to allow for just having a bad day possibility, then demote her to dishwasher if she couldn't cut it. If she couldn't make do there, she would be out of there pure and simple.

[Natural Law]

They obviously discriminate against people without piercings, facial tattoos and spiked, pastel hair.

[pabianice]

Hey, it works both ways. The barista at my local Starbucks is psychotic and serves lattes to people who aren't there. I've had free coffee there since March!

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Drake, who currently is not employed, is bipolar and has major depression, borderline personality and attention deficit disorders, according to EEOC attorneys.

Perhaps she would do better in a less stressful position. The EEOC can jump off a bridge for all I care.

[RobRoy]

I Am Sam.

Sean Penn was incredible in that movie.

[Xenalyte]

Drake, who currently is not employed, is bipolar and has major depression, borderline personality and attention deficit disorders, according to EEOC attorneys.

I'm not sure which would be more fun . . . to have her foam up six tall half-caf cappuccinos during the rush, or to speculate what the drink she just prepared is adulterated with.

[Xenalyte]

Jeez, it's a freakin' press conference. You'd have thought she'd put on some makeup.

Or at least drawn her some eyebrows.

[art_rocks]

I think the law firm that represents her should offer her a position as a clerk. This way we can see this law firm is doing more than representing her but giving her a chance at a new life. Let's see them accomodate her.