Opinion ID: 855991
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The employees’ suit

Text: Lt. Mills and dispatchers Mills, McLaughlin, and Welsh sued Chief Hankla and the City on several theories. The scope of the employees’ amended complaint caused some contention between the parties, with confusion about the actual claims pleaded. The following claims are specifically enumerated in the employees’ amended complaint and are the subject of this appeal. Lt. Mills claimed that Chief Hankla, and therefore the City, constructively discharged Lt. Mills through “harassment and unprofessional treatment,” thereby breaching the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Lt. Mills claimed that the City improperly refused to consider other candidates and hired Chief Hankla in violation of the city code, and further that Chief Hankla and the City violated public policy by retaliating against Lt. Mills for competing with Chief Hankla for the police chief position. The three dispatchers claimed Chief Hankla and the City maintained a hostile work environment through sexual harassment and discrimination in violation of AS 18.80.220(a).1 Mills and McLaughlin also claimed Chief Hankla and the City violated wage and overtime laws by altering time cards and denying overtime pay. Lt. Mills and the three dispatchers further claimed the City was negligent in hiring, training, and retaining Chief Hankla.