Excerpts from patch.com: A lawsuit has been filed by the estate of Nicole Hladik, a 25-year-old firefighter from Hinsdale who died by suicide in July 2020. The suit claims she was subjected to sex-based discrimination during her time with the fire department, and that her treatment contributed to her tragic death. Hladik, a graduate of Lyons Township High School, was the only female firefighter in the department at the time and the third woman to ever serve there. She joined the department in 2019 and had just completed her probationary period when she passed away. Her husband, Daniel Zaborowski, is acting as the court-appointed administrator of her estate and is listed as the plaintiff in the federal case. In the days before her death, Hladik reportedly wrote messages expressing deep despair, including “Work has destroyed me†and “I cannot take one more single day.†She also sent a message to her supervisor, stating, “P.S. You’re welcome Lieutenant, I’m gone. I’m no longer your problem. You win.†The village of Hinsdale responded to the lawsuit by stating that an internal investigation found no evidence of unfair treatment. According to the village, Hladik performed well during her first six months on the Gold shift, meeting all expectations for a probationary firefighter. However, after being transferred to the Black shift in early 2020 under the supervision of Lieutenant McCarthy, the lawsuit claims she faced ongoing hostility, hazing, and sexual discrimination. The complaint alleges that McCarthy subjected Hladik to public humiliation, questioned her competence, and even required her to wear a blindfold during a simulated fire drill — a task that was inherently unfair and impossible to complete successfully. She was then given a failing score and told to quit, despite the unrealistic nature of the test. As Hladik neared the end of her probation, she was placed on a performance improvement plan that the lawsuit claims was designed to embarrass and pressure her out of the department. The suit argues that these actions were based on her gender and not her job performance. The family filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2021, exhausting all administrative remedies before filing the lawsuit. The village denies the allegations, insisting that Hladik was treated fairly and that her performance standards were the same as those for male firefighters. No trial date has been set yet, and the plaintiff is seeking both compensatory and economic damages. In the months following Hladik’s death, the Village Board authorized an independent investigation into the fire department, eventually spending over $100,000 on the inquiry conducted by a Chicago-based law firm. The village released a statement expressing condolences to Hladik’s family and asserting that the investigation found no evidence of unfair treatment. However, the report was kept confidential, citing attorney-client privilege. The family declined multiple requests to be interviewed as part of the review. While the village maintains that Hladik was treated with respect and fairness, the lawsuit continues to challenge that narrative. The case remains active, and the outcome could have significant implications for workplace discrimination claims in public service roles. Thanks, Scott. Calendar printing offers a range of features and attributes. It includes customizable designs, high-quality printing, various sizes and formats, durable materials, vibrant colors, professional layouts, personalized dates, branding options, different binding methods, glossy or matte finishes, and optional extras like hanging hooks or envelopes. With calendar printing, you can create customized calendars that serve as effective marketing tools, gifts, or personal organizers, allowing you to showcase your creativity and stay organized throughout the year. , calendar 2024, calendar printing, calendar printing custom Shenzhen Longyin Printing Packing Co., Ltd. , https://www.lybookprinting.com