Trayling v. Board of Fire and Police Commissioners

KM was employed by the village fire department as a secretary. G. Trayling was a lieutenant with the fire department and worked in the same office as KM. On one occasion Trayling kissed KM on the cheek, and on another he put his hands on her waist and hips. G. Trayling was charged by the village manager with sexually harassing KM in violation of Title VII and the Illinois Human Rights Act. Although the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners opted to suspend Trayling for 30 days without pay rather than discharge him, both he and the manager requested a review of the decision. The DuPage County circuit court affirmed the board’s disciplinary action. On appeal, the Second District Appellate Court upheld that decision, finding sufficient evidence to support the harassment charge under both federal and state standards, and concluding that the board acted within its authority by imposing the suspension.

Topics

• Sexual harassment

Geographical location

• North America
• Illinois

Keywords

• sexual harassment in the workplace
• workplace harassment

Year

• 1995

External URL

• Trayling v. Board of Fire and Police Commissioners

Court

• Court of Appeals Second District

Type

• Domestic Case Law

Jurisdiction

• Illinois