‘FNB is an abusive employer’
A GROUP of former FNB employees who claim to have been unfairly dismissed have come forward; accusing the banking institution of homophobia, racism and bullying.
Several black women who claim to have suffered humiliation and unfair treatment by one of the country’s largest financial institutions spoke out yesterday. This came in the wake of revelations of discrimination by Absa and FNB against black-owned businesses and scores of others who have found their banking services terminated or in the process of being shut down unjustly.
In a closed series of interviews in Joburg, the women claimed they were subjected to abuse by some senior FNB managers, including the bank’s operational manager, Ronald Smith. Despite this being escalated to the bank’s executives and human resources head, Dipuo Nkele, no action was taken against the alleged perpetrators, they said.
Grace Isaacs, a former systems administrator at the bank, and another woman, who asked not to be named, said they were allegedly dismissed for being pregnant.
Busisiwe Dube, a senior customer service agent, also alleged that she was unfairly shown the door. “I reported the matter to the CCMA and FNB did not pitch. Now we are headed to arbitration at the CCMA, set down for May 20. A subpoena was issued to FNB to provide evidence. They are yet to respond.”
Queensly Gcingca, a senior learning co-ordinator, claims that she was fired for being a transgender woman. She alleged that she was harassed by management and was constantly made fun of because of her sexuality. “I’m a proud transgender. Before I was dismissed I was working for FNB as a learning co-ordinator for four years. Before that I was with the bank for seven years. I had the worst two years of my life at the bank. I was not accepted by FNB for being transgender,” alleged Gcingca.
Mariza Bernkia, a former senior team leader, claimed she was fired despite having no previous warning. Prior to being fired, Bernkia said she had made a grievance report against Smith, who had submitted her performance review ratings without her signature or consent.
Bernkia said she also lodged grievances about the way her team and staff members were treated. “They were being targeted and victimised by the operational manager.”
FNB denied all allegations, saying all its internal disciplinary processes were applied in accordance with relevant laws. Smith did not respond to questions.
“Every case of alleged misconduct is investigated extensively and rigorously. FNB has a zero tolerance for discrimination against anyone and on any of the grounds contained in the Constitution. To protect the rights of FNB and the individuals concerned, the bank cannot provide any specific information on former employees,” said Nadiah Maharaj, the bank’s spokesperson.
Industry expert and popular financial consultant and investigator Emerald van Zyl, whose book on FNB’s transgressions and how the bank allegedly discriminates against black people, confirmed that his company had received requests from the bank’s employees to intervene as they feel their human rights had been violated by the institution.
Former government adviser and employment relations researcher Bheki Ka Soko lashed out at South Africa’s banks for their refusal to transform, saying banks continue abusing their powers and suppressing others.