Ex-Truist Worker Sues Over Chucky Doll Nightmare: When Office “Fun” Goes Too Far
Okay, so here’s the thing—imagine walking back to your desk after lunch and finding a freaking Chucky doll staring at you. Not some cute toy, but the full-on nightmare version from the movies. That’s exactly what happened to a former Truist Bank employee, and now she’s suing the pants off them. And honestly? I don’t blame her one bit.
What Actually Went Down
The “Prank” From Hell
According to court papers, her supervisor—yeah, her boss—thought it’d be hilarious to plant a life-sized Chucky doll in her chair. Why? Because she’d mentioned once that horror movies creeped her out. Real professional, right? The thing had moving eyes and this twisted smile that’d give anyone the chills.
Her Reaction (And Who Could Blame Her?)
She completely lost it. Like, panic attack so bad someone called 911. Threw up right there in the office. But here’s the kicker—instead of apologizing, some coworkers started making fun of her in their group chats. Classy.
Why This Lawsuit Matters
She’s not just suing because of the doll—though that’s bad enough. It’s about what happened after:
- Got diagnosed with PTSD. Like, actual medical diagnosis.
- Missed out on promotions after complaining
- Oh, and apparently the guys in the office never got “fun” surprises like this
Her lawyers are bringing up some serious stuff—Title VII violations, OSHA regulations. There was even this Amazon case from 2018 where a clown mask prank got someone $85k. Makes you think.
Life After the Incident
This wasn’t just some “get over it” situation. We’re talking:
- Couldn’t sleep for months
- Ran out of a Target once because some kid’s doll triggered her
- Now she’s that “can’t take a joke” woman in her industry
Social media’s split down the middle though. Some TikTok comments are brutal:
“If dolls scare you, maybe don’t work at a bank?”
But others get it:
“Since when is traumatizing someone a team-building exercise?”
What Truist Is Saying
Their official line? “Isolated incident.” The supervisor got some sensitivity training—big whoop—and still works there. Their lawyers will probably argue:
- It was “just Halloween decor” (in March? Really?)
- “He’s usually a great guy” defense
The Bigger Picture
Here’s where it gets interesting. A psychologist I read put it perfectly:
“It’s all about power. If your buddy does it, maybe you laugh. When your boss does it? That’s psychological warfare.”
Employment lawyers are saying companies need to:
- Stop the “surprise!” pranks—especially with known fears
- Train managers to spot mental health issues
- Have better ways to report this crap anonymously
Wrapping Up
Look, courts will decide if this was legally harassment. But common sense says it was dead wrong. In today’s world where we’re finally taking mental health seriously, maybe it’s time workplaces grew up too. Before they end up paying for it—literally.
If You Need Help
- EEOC’s rules on hostile workplaces
- Work trauma hotline: 1-800-XXX-XXXX
- Quiz: Is your “joke” actually harassment?
What do you think—where’s the line between office fun and harassment? Hit me up in the comments.
Source: NY Post – US News