CHARLESTON -- A former employee is suing City Holding Company after she claims she was wrongfully discriminated against and fired from her job.
Laura R. Ennis was employed by the defendant from March 2004 until April 12, according to a complaint filed July 12 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Ennis claims in early 2007 an employee began to sexually harass her and in November 2007 the employee was moved to another location.
On Sept. 4, 2009, Ennis had her second child and took off work to care for her newborn until December 2009, according to the suit.
Ennis claims after returning to work, the defendant began to retaliate against her for reporting the sexual harassment and/or exercising her rights to take time off work under the Family Medical Leave Act and on April 12, her employment was terminated.
The defendant fired Ennis on the pretence of her work performance, but the true reason that City terminated her was in retaliation for her complaining of the sexual harassment and/or exercising her rights under FMLA, according to the suit.
Ennis claims in addition, male employees of City were treated with preference over her which constitutes sexual discrimination.
The defendant's actions were intentional, willful, wanton and with reckless disregard for Ennis' rights, according to the suit.
Ennis is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by Michael J. Del Giudice.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Charles E. King.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 12-C-1296