Aug 19, 2008 8:52 pm US/Central
Woman Claims Unfair Job Firing On O'Hare Project
Former Project Says Health Problems Led To Demotion, Eventual Termination
CHICAGO (STNG) ―
The former head of the O'Hare Modernization Program claims she was demoted and ultimately fired by the city after she requested days off because of a medical condition.
Teresa Rodriguez alleges in a federal discrimination lawsuit filed Tuesday that she was terminated from her position after she was hospitalized with a serious health condition called Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT).
SVT is a condition that causes abnormalities to the heart's electrical system and makes the heart beat too fast, the suit said.
Rodriguez was rushed to the hospital on June 1, 2006 when she experienced an SVT-related episode at her workplace and suddenly became weak.
Upon her return, two supervisors, Executive Director Rosemarie S. Andolino and First Deputy Director Michael D. Boland told Rodriguez that because of her medical problems her duties were now going be handled by lower-ranking staff.
According to the suit, Rodriguez's duties before the hospitalization included high-level financial management, supervision of project expenditures and oversight of facility operations.
Rodriguez went from making high-level financial decisions to low-level administrative tasks such as purchasing supplies, scheduling and storing and packing supplies, the suit said.
Due to her medical condition Rodriguez took August 29 to September 8, 2006 off so she could get treatment for her health condition.
On top of taking the allotted time off, Rodriguez asked if she could take an extra couple days while doctors did additional testing, the suit said. Boland said she could take more time off if she had a doctor's note.
After undergoing further testing, Rodriguez returned to work on September 18 to find out she was terminated for performance issues.
The three-count suit claims the city of Chicago violated the Family Medical Leave Act, and the city illustrated a willful and reckless disregard of plaintiff's rights.
Her two supervisors are not named as defendants in the suit.
Rodriguez seeks an unspecified amount in damages.
(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2008. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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