Oct. 30--A former city of Eau Claire firefighter who alleged she was fired because she is a woman received a $10,000 settlement designated for payment to the law firm that represented her.
As part of the agreement reached Oct. 13, the city does not admit to any wrongdoing related to Christina Henke, who is prohibited from seeking employment with the city again.
Settlement money is designated for Henke's attorney, Nola Hitchcock Cross.
Henke began working for the Fire Department as a full-time firefighter/emergency medical technician on July 9, 2007.
Once hired, firefighters are required to satisfactorily complete an 18-month probationary period. Henke, terminated on Jan. 7, 2009, didn't complete her probation.
Three months after her firing, Henke contacted the Equal Rights Division of the state Department of Workforce Development, alleging employment discrimination because of her gender.
A state investigator found probable cause that the Fire Department might have discriminated against Henke. She claimed the Fire Department refused to extend her probationary period despite a back injury and death of a family member.
Henke also alleged she endured abusive treatment by her male co-workers because of her gender, including name-calling and vulgar insults, throughout her probationary period.
