State worker says she was passed over for promotion

CHARLESTON – An employee of the state Department of Transportation says she was passed over three times for a promotion because of her gender.

Sandra Wanless filed a lawsuit April 28 in Kanawha Circuit Court against the state DOT and the Division of Highways.

Wanless, a transportation realty agent for District One's Right of Way Section, says she tried on three occasions to be promoted to a transportation realty manager position, but was passed over for less qualified male candidates.

Wanless says she has worked for the agency since 1978.

She claims that one three occasions in 2008, she applied and interviewed for promotion to transportation realty manager.

Her supervisor in December informed her that the agency had chosen a "well-rounded candidate" for the promotion, whom Wanless describes as a "younger, less qualified male."

In addition to compensatory and punitive damages, Wanless wants a judge to order the agency to implement an ongoing employment discrimination program and create an appropriate grievance reporting system.

Kristina Thomas Whiteaker is representing the plaintiff. The case is before Kanawha Circuit Judge Irene Berger.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 09-C-775