CHARLESTON — A woman is suing the state Tax Department alleging she was wrongfully terminated in 2020.
Hazra Alladin worked for the defendant from September 2019 until March 7, 2020, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Alladin claims she served as a Secretary I for the department and during her employment, she performed her duties in a satisfactory manner.
At some point during her employment, Alladin began working for Leroy Barker, the assistant director, and the first time that she met him, Barker openly threatened her and said, "I don't like you; I did not hire you and we'll see if you make it through probation," according to the suit.
Alladin claims Barker repeatedly threatened her that she would not make it through probation and prohibited her from entering the administration office, which included Barker's office, where she was required to work.
The plaintiff was excluded from meetings in which all other staff was permitted or required to attend and Barke was disrespectful and unprofessional toward her, according to the suit.
Alladin claims Barker micromanaged her and regularly threatened her and imposed specific rules on her that were not imposed on other employees.
Several times, Alladin complained about how Barker treated her and requested that he not treat her so poorly, according to the suit.
Alladin claims she received a letter from the defendant that she was being fired effective immediately and her employment was terminated on March 7, 2020.
The plaintiff claims the defendant violated the West Virginia Human Rights Act by discriminating against her. She claims she was exposed to and observed ongoing harassment, threats and other racially motivated harassment and discrimination.
Alladin claims the unlawful conduct was unwelcome.
Alladin is seeking compensatory damages. She is represented by Phillip Estep of Estep Entsminger Law Group in Charleston.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie Webster.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 22-C-934