Former employee sues YRC Worldwide for unlawful termination

CHARLESTON -- A former employee is suing YRC Worldwide and one of its employees for unlawful termination.

Charles R. Wise was an employee of the defendant and rarely missed work, according to a complaint filed March 4 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

On March 3, 2009, Wise claims he was suffering from chest pains and numbness in his right arm, so he consulted a physician who told him not to return to work until the medical condition was properly diagnosed.

On March 26, 2009, Wise claims he informed Alex Parsons, his supervisor, that his physician told him he was having anxiety attacks and that Parsons instructed him to come back to work.

Wise claims he returned to work and on April 30, 2009, his employment was terminated.

The defendants terminated Wise's employment "based, in whole or in significant part, upon...age and recent illnesses al in violation of the West Virginia Human Rights At and Substantial Public Policy of the State of West Virginia," the complaint states.

Wise is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is being represented by Shawn R. Romano and Kathy A. Brown.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 10-C-410