MORGANTOWN – A Monongalia County woman alleges she was subjected to a hostile work environment before she was terminated last year.
Alexis Berry filed a complaint in Monongalia Circuit Court against HealthSouth Corp., Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Morgantown Inc., and Diana Pehanich citing the West Virginia Human Rights Act.
The suit states that the plaintiff was an employee of the defendants from May 16, 2016, to Feb. 21, 2018, as an infection control practitioner.
The plaintiff alleges during a meeting with Pehanich on Feb. 13, 2017, that the defendant told her she did "not deserve" to be in the position because the defendant felt she was not qualified because the plaintiff was not a nurse.
The plaintiff alleges Pehanich targeted her on her performance from February to July 2017, which caused her anxiety.
The suit states the plaintiff sprained her ankle at work on Sept. 7, 2017, and took time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act from Sept. 25 to Sept. 29. After returning to work on Oct. 1, 2017, the plaintiff alleges she was put on a Performance Improvement Plan on Oct. 2, 2017, and again on Oct. 20, 2017. The plaintiff was given a raise due to merit on Nov. 10, 2017, the suit states.
The plaintiff alleges she was placed on probation on Jan. 29, 2018, by Pehanich and then fired on Feb. 21, 2018.
The plaintiff is seeking all reasonable sums due, attorney fees and court costs. The plaintiff is represented by Jeremy A. Donham of Donham Law in Dellslow.
Monongalia Circuit Court case number 19-C-99
