A former employee has filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation at her workplace. On March 13, 2025, Biridiana Vazquez filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Tallwall Activities LLC, doing business as ClimbZone.
The case centers around Vazquez's allegations that during her tenure as a Front Desk Manager from January 10, 2022, to February 2, 2025, she was subjected to inappropriate behavior by her General Manager, Bill Kindra. Vazquez claims that on January 18, 2025, Kindra physically assaulted her by choking her from behind while making a swaying motion. Despite reporting this incident to another manager and later to the owner of ClimbZone, Alon Finklestein, no significant remedial actions were taken. Instead, Kindra was merely asked to apologize. The complaint further details how Finklestein dismissed Vazquez's concerns with statements like "You're fine," and suggested that due to her religious beliefs she should forgive Kindra.
Vazquez alleges that this behavior constituted not only sexual harassment but also sex-based and religion-based discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. She argues that the defendant failed to provide a safe work environment free from harassment and discrimination. Furthermore, she contends that after raising these issues with management multiple times without any adequate response or action taken against Kindra’s behavior, she was forced into constructive discharge on February 2, 2025.
The plaintiff is seeking various forms of relief including back pay and benefits lost due to her alleged wrongful termination. She is also pursuing compensatory damages for emotional distress caused by the hostile work environment and punitive damages against the defendant for willful disregard of her rights. Additionally, Vazquez requests injunctive relief to prevent future occurrences of such conduct at ClimbZone.
Representing Vazquez are attorneys Nathan C. Volheim and Mally Slone from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., based in Lombard, Illinois. The case is identified as Case No.: 1:25-cv-02627.