Former funeral home worker accuses owners of hostility, sexual harassment

BECKLEY — A Raleigh County man filed suit against a funeral home and its owners, claiming liability in a series of extreme workplace incidents that allegedly violated employment law and left the plaintiff shaken.

Brian Snuffer of Oceana filed a lawsuit May 29 against Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Homes Inc. (R&Q), David Quesenberry and Michael Quesenberry in Raleigh Circuit Court alleging assault and harassment.

According to the filing, the plaintiff was employed by R&Q until he resigned under duress on April 14, 2015.

The suit states that Snuffer was continually subjected to a sexually hostile work environment by his employers. Alleged examples of unwelcome verbal and physical gestures included David Quesenberry’s groping the plaintiff’s buttocks on Feb. 14, 2015 in front of a witness.

The complaint states that David Quesenberry, who lived in the residence area of the building, would routinely enter the business area in the nude, while Michael Quesenberry would scream at the plaintiff. Snuffer asserts that his complaints were ignored and nothing was done to correct the behaviors.

Following the plaintiff’s wife’s death from cancer, the business also allegedly docked Snuffer’s paycheck for time taken off for bereavement. Alleging different treatment from other employees and financial punishment, the plaintiff avers assault, retaliation, harassment, and violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act.

Alleging loss of income, distress and humiliation, Snuffer seeks compensatory and punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees, and costs.

Snuffer is represented by Anthony Salvatore of Hewitt & Salvatore in Beckley. The case has been assigned to Judge Robert A. Burnside.

Raleigh Circuit Court case number 15-C-437-B