By Melinda Rogers
The Salt Lake Tribune

A former Bluffdale firefighter who claims she was assaulted by a co-worker while on duty has sued the city for sexual harassment.

Robyn Bailey says she was subjected to abuse, bias, harassment and discrimination while employed as a Bluffdale firefighter for roughly a year beginning in April 2006, according to a lawsuit filed this week in U.S. District Court

Her lawsuit alleges misconduct on the part of Bluffdale Fire Chief John Roberts and male firefighters in the department. Roberts did not immediately comment Wednesday.

Among Bailey's allegations:

• A male co-worker entered her private room at the station and sat on her back, straddling her as she lay on her stomach on a bed. He said, "No one is going to hear anything and no one will find out if we have sex" as Bailey struggled to throw him off, the suit said. She was treated at a hospital for injuries from the scuffle, it said.

• She was not provided protective gear and clothing that fit, which put her at risk when working in debris on emergency calls, according to the suit. She was told she had to "prove herself" to get appropriate equipment, it said, adding she was given proper gear in February 2007.

The suit also describes other alleged harassment, and states that despite her complaints, the department didn't respond to her concerns. Her husband also contacted the department about his wife's treatment at the station, the lawsuit states.

Bailey seeks unspecified damages from the city and the man who allegedly assaulted her. It said she was hired in April 2006, and left on an unspecified date because of the "hostile working environment."

The Bluffdale Human Resources Department would not provide information Wednesday about the length of Bailey's employment with the city.

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