Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/524bv.pdf
Page Number: 826.0

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Unit: U100

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Cite as: 524 U. S. 775 (1998)

781

Opinion of the Court

Terry and Silverman were agents of the City, and that their
conduct amounted to discrimination in the “terms, condi-
tions, and privileges” of her employment, 42 U. S. C. § 2000e–
2(a)(1), Faragher sought a judgment against the City for
nominal damages, costs, and attorney’s fees.

Following a bench trial, the United States District Court
for the Southern District of Florida found that throughout
Faragher’s employment with the City, Terry served as Chief
of the Marine Safety Division, with authority to hire new
lifeguards (subject to the approval of higher management),
to supervise all aspects of the lifeguards’ work assignments,
to engage in counseling, to deliver oral reprimands, and to
864 F. Supp. 1552,
make a record of any such discipline.
1563–1564 (1994). Silverman was a Marine Safety lieuten-
ant from 1985 until June 1989, when he became a captain.
Id., at 1555. Gordon began the employment period as a lieu-
tenant and at some point was promoted to the position of
training captain.
In these positions, Silverman and Gordon
were responsible for making the lifeguards’ daily assign-
ments, and for supervising their work and ﬁtness training.
Id., at 1564.

The lifeguards and supervisors were stationed at the city
beach and worked out of the Marine Safety Headquarters, a
small one-story building containing an ofﬁce, a meeting room,
Id., at 1556.
and a single, unisex locker room with a shower.
Their work routine was structured in a “paramilitary con-
ﬁguration,” id., at 1564, with a clear chain of command.
Lifeguards reported to lieutenants and captains, who re-
ported to Terry. He was supervised by the Recreation
Superintendent, who in turn reported to a Director of Parks
and Recreation, answerable to the City Manager.
Id., at
1555. The lifeguards had no signiﬁcant contact with higher
city ofﬁcials like the Recreation Superintendent.
Id., at
1564.

In February 1986, the City adopted a sexual harassment
policy, which it stated in a memorandum from the City Man-