Woman sues Security Group Services for gender discrimination

CHARLESTON - A Kanawha County woman is suing Security Group Services LLC for allegedly discriminating against her because she is a woman.

In October 2011, Tianna M. Bowers made first contact with the defendant concerning possible employment opportunities, according to a complaint filed Oct. 29 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Bowers claims upon her hire in December 2011, she was informed by her supervisor that he would have hired her in October 2011, but that he was unable to hire women at that time.

In June 2012, Bowers informed her supervisor that she was pregnant and requested that her supervisor maintain the confidentiality of her pregnancy, the suit says. However, her supervisor failed to honor the request, which subjected her to harassment, embarrassment and humiliation from other staff, according to the suit.

Bowers claims her supervisor refused to allow her to work night shift due to her gender.

In November 2012, despite her desire to continue working as long as medically possible, the defendant laid Bowers off due to her pregnancy, according to the suit.

Bowers claims following her return to work after her delivery, the defendant refused to make reasonable accommodation for her to express breast milk at her worksite.

On April 25, Bowers was constructively discharged from her employment based on a hostile work environment, according to the suit.

Bowers claims she was wrongfully discharged from her employment based on her gender.

Bowers is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by Scott H. Kaminski of Balgo & Kaminski LC.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Charles E. King.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 13-C-2034