BECKLEY – A Raleigh County woman says her employer allegedly forced her to resign after she filed a sexual harassment complaint under the state’s Human Rights Act.
Annette White filed a lawsuit April 12 in Raleigh Circuit Court against The Hannon Co. (doing business as Hannon Electric Co.) and supervisors Brian Laxton and Jack Williams, alleging discriminatory and retaliatory actions in violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act.
White was the only woman working in the defendant’s Mount Hope facility, the suit says, and served as a coilwinder for refurbished electric motors. According to the complaint, White was forced to resign in September of 2014 because of a hostile and physically intimidating work environment.
During the last four years of her employment, White says, a co-worker made sexual comments, attempted to look down her shirt and even called her and her family members on vacation. The complaint alleges that neither Laxton nor Williams, who both occasionally witnessed the behavior, took any measures to stop it.
White seeks a jury trial and damages. She is represented by Charleston attorney Mark A. Toor. Judge H.L. Kirkpatrick III is assigned to the case.
Raleigh Circuit Court Case number 16-C-217-K
