Bergen County Ex-Finance Manager Claims She Was Wrongfully Fired After Breast Cancer Treatment
A former municipal finance official in Bergen County has filed a lawsuit claiming she lost her job after working remotely while recovering from breast cancer and dealing with medical conditions protected under New Jersey’s anti-discrimination laws.
The legal complaint, filed in Bergen County Superior Court on July 20, alleges that Gioia Cassidy, 61, was wrongfully terminated by the Borough of Hillsdale despite years of service and a strong professional record. The case raises questions about workplace protections for employees facing serious health challenges and the responsibilities of public employers under state employment laws.
According to the lawsuit, Cassidy began working for the Borough of Hillsdale in 2015 as a finance clerk. Within about a year, she earned multiple promotions because of her experience and performance. She eventually served as the borough’s financial manager, municipal housing liaison, and deputy treasurer, positions she reportedly held until her dismissal during the winter.
The complaint states that Cassidy continued performing her duties while managing breast cancer treatment and other medical conditions. As part of her recovery, she worked remotely, an arrangement that she claims was connected to disabilities protected under New Jersey’s anti-discrimination laws.
Cassidy argues that instead of receiving the legal protections and reasonable workplace accommodations available to employees with qualifying medical conditions, her employment was ended. She alleges that the borough’s decision violated state laws designed to prevent discrimination against workers with disabilities or serious health issues.
The lawsuit seeks to hold the borough accountable for what Cassidy describes as an unlawful termination. While the complaint outlines her allegations, the court has not yet ruled on the case, and the claims remain allegations until they are reviewed through the legal process.
Employment discrimination cases involving medical conditions often focus on whether employers met their legal obligations to provide reasonable accommodations and whether employment decisions were influenced by an employee’s protected health status. Under New Jersey law, employers are generally prohibited from discriminating against workers because of disabilities and may be required to provide reasonable accommodations when appropriate.
The legal proceedings are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding Cassidy’s remote work arrangement, her medical condition, and the borough’s reasons for ending her employment. Court filings and evidence presented by both sides will ultimately determine whether any employment laws were violated.
The case also highlights the broader issue of workplace rights for employees undergoing treatment for serious illnesses. As more employers continue to balance workplace policies with accommodation requests, disputes involving remote work and disability protections remain an important area of employment law.
For now, the lawsuit marks the beginning of what could become a closely watched legal dispute in Bergen County. Both parties will have an opportunity to present their arguments as the case moves through the New Jersey court system.
Sources:
- Bergen County Superior Court
- New Jersey Division on Civil Rights
- New Jersey Judiciary
