Last week, Windy City Times reported Lynn Sprout’s groundbreaking win in her suit against Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Ill. The Urbana Human Relations Commission determined that the hospital fired Sprout because of her sexual orientation. Carle let Sprout go over two and a half years ago for what it called performance problems.
However, Sprout argued that the hospital violated city codes by not providing her with coverage and bereavement leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and by ending her employment. Sprout left to care for her then-lover, who had terminal cancer.
However, it turns out that what was a preliminary ruling may be just the beginning of a long battle. Kathy Howell, director of human resources at Carle, told Windy City Times that the hospital plans to continue fighting, no matter how far it has to go. ‘We plan to submit a rebuttal to the commission; if the final ruling is in [Sprout’s] favor, then we’ll appeal to the 6th District Circuit Court. We’re doing this because it’s in the best interest of patients and employees and because we want to be able to maintain high performance standards.’
When informed of the hospital’s plans, Sprout’s response is one of a woman who’s simultaneously disappointed, confused, and undaunted. ‘I don’t understand that statement about performance standards. It actually states in the transcript of the hearing that the hospital thought I was an exceptional nurse,’ said Sprout, who’s fighting for her job; back pay; and a policy change involving FMLA and funeral leave benefits for GLBT employees. ‘I don’t care if it goes all the way to the Supreme Court—I’ll be there.’