MONROE - A former employee's sexual harassment case against the City of Monroe may be ending in a settlement.
A hearing in the case of Janelle Bittner vs. the City of Monroe scheduled for March 27 in the Green County Courthouse was canceled March 11 pending settlement, according to Chris Marschman, spokesperson for the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
A formal withdrawal has not yet been submitted.
Marschman said in cases pending settlement, the parties usually have come up with an agreement, which may not be made public.
The Equal Rights Division of the Wisconsin Workforce Development on Aug. 8 found probable cause to believe the City of Monroe may have violated the Wisconsin Fair Employment Law and found reason to believe there was sufficient information to hold an administrative hearing.
Bittner first contacted Equal Rights Division on May 1, 2008, alleging employment discrimination.
Bittner began working for the city May 21, 2007, as a confidential administrative assistant. Her complaint alleges sexual harassment in the workplace, retaliation for opposing discrimination and constructive discharge.
During her employment, Bittner alleged 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 until April 2008, in her complaint.
Vahlsing's employment with the city was ended by the Monroe City Council about two weeks after Bittner filed her complaint.
The city denies Vahlsing harassed Bittner.
The Division had determined the case must be resolved through a formal hearing. Depositions were taken at the end of January to be used as evidence at the hearing.
A hearing in the case of Janelle Bittner vs. the City of Monroe scheduled for March 27 in the Green County Courthouse was canceled March 11 pending settlement, according to Chris Marschman, spokesperson for the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
A formal withdrawal has not yet been submitted.
Marschman said in cases pending settlement, the parties usually have come up with an agreement, which may not be made public.
The Equal Rights Division of the Wisconsin Workforce Development on Aug. 8 found probable cause to believe the City of Monroe may have violated the Wisconsin Fair Employment Law and found reason to believe there was sufficient information to hold an administrative hearing.
Bittner first contacted Equal Rights Division on May 1, 2008, alleging employment discrimination.
Bittner began working for the city May 21, 2007, as a confidential administrative assistant. Her complaint alleges sexual harassment in the workplace, retaliation for opposing discrimination and constructive discharge.
During her employment, Bittner alleged 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 until April 2008, in her complaint.
Vahlsing's employment with the city was ended by the Monroe City Council about two weeks after Bittner filed her complaint.
The city denies Vahlsing harassed Bittner.
The Division had determined the case must be resolved through a formal hearing. Depositions were taken at the end of January to be used as evidence at the hearing.