Ex-Employee Sues Georgia State Over Cancer Discrimination

Imagine getting a devastating cancer diagnosis just weeks into a new job. That’s the reality Cindy Hawthorne faced at Georgia State University. She claims that after initially receiving support for her treatment, the university ultimately fired her, alleging her work slowed down due to her chemotherapy and radiation.

Initial Support Turns Sour

Hawthorne started her role as a civil rights compliance investigator at Georgia State University. Shortly after beginning, she received her cancer diagnosis and immediately informed her supervisors. They reportedly expressed support and authorized accommodations, including working from home and deadline extensions, as she started chemotherapy.

Demonstrating her commitment, Hawthorne even postponed surgery to ensure her work responsibilities were met. However, as she experienced complications from her treatments, her request for another extension was met with a different response. Instead of empathy, her directors allegedly implemented a 90-day performance improvement plan.

Feeling Pushed Out

Hawthorne felt that this new plan, coupled with the hiring of a new team member, was a way to push her out. As a civil rights investigator, her job was to ensure the school upheld the rights of students and staff. Ironically, she believes her own rights were violated.

She worked at the university for less than a year before being terminated in October. Hawthorne expressed feeling “thrown away and lied to, to make it feel like it was my fault.” She has since filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), seeking justice for what she considers a wrongful firing.

Seeking Legal Validation

Her lawyer, Artur Davis, highlighted Hawthorne’s dedication, noting that she delayed surgery to prioritize her job. Davis emphasized that this level of commitment shows she was more than pulling her weight. Now, Hawthorne is pursuing a legal claim to validate her experience and hold the university accountable.