Woman claims she was forced to quit job

MORGANTOWN – A woman is suing her former boss and employer, saying she was discriminated against to the point that she felt forced to quit her job.

Vicki Lynch filed a lawsuit in Monongalia Circuit Court on Feb. 24 against Chris Lockard and Omnicare ESC LLC.

Lynch claims she was the purchasing manager at Omnicare's Clarksburg location until the company bought Neighborcare Pharmacy in Morgantown in March 2006.

At that time, she was named purchasing manager at Omnicare's Morgantown operations, according to the complaint.

During her time working there, Lynch claims that the executive director, Lockard, was her immediate supervisor. Lynch says he subjected her to discriminatory treatment, intimidation, manipulation and insult.

According to the complaint, Lockard treated Lynch differently than her co-workers. She claims he insulted her in front of co-workers, undermined her authority and exhibited a general intolerance toward her that was unprovoked.

Lynch says she complained to the proper corporate authorities, including making a call to a corporate compliance hotline and talking with two human resources officials.

But she claims Lockard's mistreatment of her went on unabated until she felt compelled to quit on July 8, 2008.

Lynch is seeking compensatory and punitive damages in addition to legal fees and interest.

Jacques R. Williams and Andrew G. Meek are representing Lynch.