Layne v. Builders Plumbing Supply Co.

Plaintiff, Sylvia Layne, brought a five-count complaint in the circuit court of Du Page County seeking damages from defendant, Builders Plumbing Supply Company, Inc., her former employer. According to the complaint, plaintiff had worked for defendant since 1982. On June 13, 1989, defendant had related to the Addison police department that plaintiff had threatened, harassed, and assaulted a coworker. Plaintiff was subsequently discharged from defendant’s employment on June 14,1989.

Count I of plaintiff’s complaint pleaded a cause of action for common-law defamation. Count II purported to state…