Rohrback v. Department of Employment Security

**What Happened** Two employees at the Illinois Department of Employment Security were suspended for 90 days by the Civil Service Commission for certain work-related transactions. The employees challenged this discipline, arguing that the state had actually advised them to handle these transactions in the way they did. **What the Court Decided** The appellate court sided with the employees and overturned their suspensions. The court found that the 90-day suspensions were "arbitrary and unreasonable" because the state itself had told the workers to conduct these transactions. As a result, both employees were restored to their positions with new four-year terms and had all disciplinary actions removed from their records. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case establishes an important principle: employers cannot discipline workers for following the employer's own advice or instructions. If your employer tells you to do something a certain way, they cannot later punish you for doing exactly what they recommended. This protection is especially important for government employees who may face disciplinary proceedings. The ruling shows that courts will examine whether discipline is fair and reasonable, particularly when employees were simply following guidance from their supervisors or the organization.