HUNTINGTON – A Kentucky woman claims a sexual relationship with a former supervisor at the Amazon call center in Huntington led to a hostile work environment and her eventual firing.
Lacy Stevens filed her complaint in Cabell Circuit Court against Amazon.com Inc, Amzn WVCS LLC and Daniel Lewis.
Stevens began working for Amazon on Sept. 12, 2016, according to her complaint, and Lewis was her supervisor. Soon, they entered into a consensual relationship she describes as a “quid pro quo” working environment.
“The plaintiff’s working environment was excellent as long as she complied with Mr. Lewis’s advances,” the complaint states.
In August 2017, Stevens told Lewis she had learned he was married and that she “no longer approved of his conduct.” She said she no longer would “submit to his unwanted sexual advances,” but she claims Lewis continued to act in the same manner.
Stevens says the work environment became hostile and unbearable, and she says she was harassed, demeaned and intimidated. She says Lewis removed her from assignments and teams to which she had been assigned.
On June 26, 2018, Stevens says she reported Lewis’ conduct. On July 12, Lewis was fired.
Still, Stevens says she was harassed by other Amazon employees, including supervisors and Lewis’ “new work girlfriend.” She says her vehicle also was damaged in the company parking lot.
Stevens says the extreme emotional and psychological distress forced her to seek medical attention for anxiety. She claims she was granted permission to work from home, but then that transfer was not approved. Instead, she says she was placed on medical leave, something she didn’t request.
When she returned to work, Stevens says her Amazon badge no longer worked, and she wasn’t allowed in the facility. She also says she was paid late and paid the wrong amounts.
When she went to Amazon’s Employee Resource Center to correct these errors, Stevens says she was terminated on Aug. 27.
“However, the plaintiff’s termination was in retaliation for her reporting the actions of Mr. Lewis and reporting the actions of other Amazon employees, which actions occurred both before Mr. Lewis was terminated and after his termination,” the complaint states.
Stevens accuses the defendants of discrimination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, negligent supervision and defamation of character.
She says she has suffered emotional distress, mental anguish, indignation, wounded pride, shame, despair, medical expenses past and future, monetary losses, lost employment opportunities, loss of time and expenses. She seeks compensatory and punitive damages, attorney fees, court costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief.
Stevens is being represented by Paul E. Biser of Fredeking & Biser Law Offices in Huntington. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Gregory Howard.
Cabell Circuit Court case number 18-C-551