CODY - A former employee of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center has filed a lawsuit against the museum and two managers, alleging violation of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and sexual harassment.

In the complaint, filed Sept. 7 in U.S. District Court in Casper, former curatorial assistant Tasha Skinner alleges that her supervisor interfered with her efforts to take medical leave, and that he used "profane and sexually charged language toward her and other female co-workers."

Lee Haines, director of public relations for the BBHC, said he could not comment on pending litigation, but the museum would vigorously defend against the charges.

The lawsuit names the nonprofit Buffalo Bill Memorial Association, which operates the museum, Charles Preston, curator of the Draper Museum of Natural History at the BBHC, and Robert Pickering, deputy director of collections and education.

Skinner alleges that Preston, her supervisor, pressured her to prematurely return to work following surgery and during treatment for cancer, and that he created a hostile work environment by making inappropriate comments about women.

She reported the matters to Pickering, Preston's supervisor, but continued to be pressured to return to work or switch to a part-time assignment, in violation of federal laws regarding medical leave, Skinner contends.

The Family and Medical Leave Act allows qualified employees to take up to 12 work weeks of unpaid leave for serious health conditions.

The law allows employers to make periodic inquiries about an employee's status and intent to return to work, according to the federal Department of Labor Web site.

Skinner took medical leave starting June 14, 2005, returning to work part-time Oct. 4, 2005, according to court documents.

Skinner, who started working for the museum in March 1997, alleges that upon returning to work, she was assigned a new "made-up" position "with no room for advancement," and isolated from co-workers.

The lawsuit contends her resignation was the "result of an intolerable work environment" and knowledge "that she could not exercise lawful rights to FMLA without intimidation and harassment."

Skinner seeks unspecified damages, including back pay, future earnings and punitive damages.

Skinner's attorneys did not respond to a request for comment.