CLAY — Two former longtime Clay County employees are suing the county, alleging violation of employment contract.
Wanda Keener and Katherine Asbury filed a complaint March 8 in Clay Circuit Court against Clay County Development Corporation, alleging failure to provide equal employment opportunity.
According to the complaint, Keener, who had worked for the development agency for 30 years and Asbury, who had worked there for 46 years, were terminated from their jobs on Dec. 22, 2016.
As a result, the suit says, they suffered lost wages and employment benefits and emotional distress. The plaintiffs allege Clay County Development Corporation added at-will employment provisions of the employee handbook, and, with no quorum to approve such changes, terminated their employment because of the alleged online conduct of Asbury's sister.
Keener and Asbury seek trial by jury, compensatory and punitive damages, reinstatement to their respective positions, attorney fees, court costs and all further relief the court deems appropriate. They are represented by attorneys Walt Auvil and Kirk Auvil of The Employment Law Center PLLC in Parkersburg.
Clay Circuit Court case number 18-C-06