Suit: District 214 secretary forced out after crying on job

A former school secretary in Northwest Suburban High School District 214 who found herself crying uncontrollably at work this summer is suing the district in federal court, accusing it of not reaching out to her with medical assistance before asking for her resignation.

Noemi Valdivia of Huntley filed suit Friday claiming a violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.

She also filed a charge of discrimination at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claiming she heard district employees regularly make derogatory statements about the district's Hispanic students and families.

District 214 officials Monday emphatically denied the lawsuit's allegations.

"We have reviewed the complaint and are confident these allegations are unfounded," District 214 spokeswoman Jennifer Delgado said. "Our staff followed established protocols and policies to ensure a safe and supportive working environment for the plaintiff, as we do with all High School District 214 employees."

According to the suit, Valdivia worked as a secretary at Elk Grove High School from May 2010 through June 2016. It was after her transfer to a similar position at Wheeling High School that she experienced bouts of uncontrollable crying in July and early August of this year, the suit states.

On Aug. 3, Valdivia claims she told Wheeling High School's principal that she was feeling confused and overwhelmed. According to the lawsuit, the principal asked what she wanted to do about it and whether she wanted to continue working.

After receiving a follow-up text from the principal the following day, Valdivia responded that she would be resigning and that "medical reasons" should be listed as the cause, the suit states.

Valdivia submitted a letter of resignation that would be effective Aug. 11, but on Aug. 9, she went to the principal's home to tell her she wanted to rescind the resignation. According to the suit, the principal spoke with the employee relations supervisor but ultimately responded that the job had already been filled and that Valdivia could no longer return. The District 214 school board accepted her resignation Aug. 11.

The suit states Valdivia was diagnosed with depression, anxiety disorder, panic disorder and insomnia later that month.

Her attorney, Alejandro Caffarelli, said the district's lack of assistance to his client before asking for her resignation was a violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act.

"Clearly she was reacting in a way that was out of character," Caffarelli said of Valdivia. "I think that's going to be the key issue in this case. What is the employer's obligation and to what extent?"

The suit seeks back wages and lost benefits, reinstatement of Valdivia's employment or monetary compensation and reimbursement of her legal costs.