Nationwide — Gregory Holder, a 60-year-old African American man from New York City who worked as a Central Park maintenance supervisor, says he was fired for allegedly sleeping on the job. He has filed a lawsuit against the Central Park Conservancy, claiming his sleep apnea was ignored, and no workplace adjustments were made before his termination.
Holder says his health issues began in late 2024 when he started feeling persistent daytime fatigue while working in Central Park. He was later diagnosed with sleep apnea in January 2025, a condition that affects breathing during sleep and can lead to drowsiness during the day.
According to the New York Post, he said, “If I’m sitting down for too long, I may close my eyes for a few seconds,” saying the symptoms were brief and not intentional sleeping while on duty.
After receiving his diagnosis, Holder submitted medical documentation to management. He expected the Conservancy to review his condition and discuss possible adjustments. According to the lawsuit, no follow-up meeting ever took place after HR received his doctor’s note.
In August 2025, he was fired. The termination letter cited alleged sleeping on the job, missed meetings, extended breaks, and repeated warnings. Holder disputes this account, saying he was never told about ongoing issues after he disclosed his condition.
Before his dismissal, Holder had built a long career in park maintenance. He entered the field through The Doe Fund at Brooklyn Bridge Park and later joined Central Park, where he worked for eight years. Over time, he was promoted to supervisor, managing around 25 workers and earning about $110,000 a year. He says he took pride in keeping Central Park clean for visitors.
“I loved my job. I loved working in the park. It was like a second home,” he said. “I honestly had intentions of being with Central Park for at least 12 more years.”
His lawyer argues the Conservancy should have explored reasonable accommodations once they were informed of his condition, such as adjusted work hours. The lawsuit says that step was never taken before he was terminated.
Holder says the firing came as a shock and that he was not given a chance to fully explain his situation. He is now seeking lost wages and damages for emotional distress and reputational harm. He also says he has since lost 80 pounds and feels healthier, but wants to return to work.