CHARLESTON – A Clendenin woman alleges she had to leave her job at a fast food restaurant because of sexual harassment from a co-worker.
Kate Adkins filed a complaint in Kanawha Circuit Court against J.W. Ebert Corp., doing business as McDonald's, and Preston Johnson citing the West Virginia Human Rights Act and other counts.
The suit states that the plaintiff was hired by J.W. Ebert as a crew member in January 2018 at its Elkview restaurant. She alleges Johnson sexually harassed her at work, grabbed her buttocks and genitals, and verbally threatened her. She alleges she and a witness provided a written statement to the manager of the Elkview restaurant about Johnson's behavior and no action was taken.
The plaintiff alleges she told her shift supervisor that she would not be returning to work due to the hostile work environment and the supervisor said "that refusing to work in such an environment was a stupid reason to lose her job."
The plaintiff is seeking back and front pay, attorney fees and court costs. The plaintiff is represented by Shawn R. Romano of Romano & Associates PLLC in Charleston.
The case has been assigned to Judge Carrie Webster.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number 19-C-452