Elkview woman sues United Bank for hostile work environment

CHARLESTON -- An Elkview woman is suing her former employer after she claims she was subjected to a hostile work environment.

Beverly Sammons, another employee of the United Bank, was also named as a defendant in the suit.

Kathy Lynn Williams was employed by the bank and attended Dominion Harvest Fellowship Church for approximately 15 years, according to a complaint filed Dec. 21 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Williams claims she and Sammons, who was the co-pastor at the church, often discussed church business at work. She claims Sammons often described the other bank employees who also attended the church as "protected employees."

In May 2009, Williams quit attending services at the church and in October 2009, she withdrew her membership at the church, according to the suit.

Williams claims from the time she quit attending church services until her employment was terminated on Nov. 16, 2009, she was subjected to a hostile work environment based upon her religious practices and where she attended church.

Despite her repeated reports of the hostile work environment, the defendant failed and refused to correct the hostile work environment, according to the suit.

Williams claims in September 2009, Sammons informed her that she was "no longer protected."

Williams claims the defendant violated the West Virginia Human Rights Act and forced her to work in a hostile work environment.

The defendant wrongfully terminated Williams' employment, according to the suit.

Williams is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by Jon D. Hoover.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Charles King.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 10-C-2285