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Hearing set in discrimination case
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MONROE - The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development has scheduled a hearing in the case of Janelle Bittner versus the City of Monroe for March 27 in the Green County Courthouse.

Bittner first contacted the state Equal Rights Division on May 1, 2008, alleging employment discrimination.

The division has found reason to believe there is sufficient information to hold the administrative hearing. An administrative law judge will hold the hearing and decide whether the city violated the Wisconsin Fair Employment law.

Bittner began working for the city on May 21, 2007, as a confidential administrative assistant.

Her complaint alleges sexual harassment in the work place, retaliation for opposing discrimination and constructive discharge.

During her employment, Bittner alleges that Mark Vahlsing, the city administrator at the time and her supervisor, engaged in inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature on several occasions. Bittner describes the incidents, beginning December 2007 and continuing through April 2008, in her complaint.

Vahlsing resigned from the city about two weeks after Bittner filed her complaint.

The city denies Vahlsing harassed Bittner.

The division determined the case must be resolved through a formal hearing.

Depositions were taken at the end of January, and will be submitted as evidence at the hearing.