CHARLESTON – Two women are suing Kanawha Valley Enrichment Center for violating the Fair Labor Standards Act.
South Charleston Enrichment Center was also named as a defendant in the suits.
Susan Conner was a salaried employee of the defendants and the salary she received was less than the minimum mandated by state and federal law, according to a complaint filed March 5 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Randi Mahood was a salaried employee of the defendants and the salary she received was less than the minimum mandated by state and federal law, according to her complaint filed March 5.
Both claim their salaries also did not include any additional compensation for overtime work.
As non-exempted employees, they requested the defendants pay them an adequate salary and overtime rate for hours worked for several months, but the defendants failed and refused to make the required payments, according to the suits.
Both claim that on Nov. 13, the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division sent the defendants letters indicating that it had performed an investigation under the Fair Labor Standards Act and discovered that the defendant had not complied with FLSA wage requirements.
The plaintiffs have been unable to obtain back wages and overtime pay owed them by the defendants and hired counsel on Nov. 17, according to the suit.
Both Conner and Mahood claim several attempts were made by counsel to reach the defendants, but no communication was established and to date, the defendants have failed and refused to pay any amount for back pay or additional pay.
The defendants owe Mahood the sum of $10,843.20 in back wages, plus liquidated damages equal to the amount of back wages, according to the suit. Conner's suit claims the defendants owe her $21,387.13 in back wages, plus liquidated damages equal to the amount of back wages.
Both women seek damages: Mahood seeks $21,686.40, and Conner seeks $42,774.26. They are being represented by Charles M. Johnstone II and Madeline G. George of Johnstone & Gabhart LLP.
Mahood's case is assigned to Circuit Judge Joanna Tabit, and Conner's case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Tod Kaufman.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 15-C-455 (Mahood), 15-C-459 (Conner)