LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A former Wells Fargo banker is suing the company, alleging she was forced to quit in 2021 after experiencing years of discrimination and harassment because of her age.
Plaintiff Kelly Johnson was 65 years old when she resigned in December from her job at the Claremont branch, according to her Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit brought Friday, which also alleges retaliation, wrongful discharge and unfair business practices.
Johnson seeks unspecified damages. A Wells Fargo representative could not be immediately reached.
Over several decades, Johnson built a "healthy book of business" in which she earned a competitive salary and impressive bonuses in her position as a premier banker and as a personal banker 2, the suit states.
"In fact, because she enjoyed her clients and work so much, she envisioned herself working in this position for her clients well into her 70s and beyond," according to the suit.
But two to three years ago, Johnson's branch manager said that Wells Fargo was implementing a new policy of using younger employees because they are paid less than older employees the suit alleges. The remark coincided with the bank bringing in a young banker in his 20s who later left, but was replaced by a woman who also was much younger than Johnson, the suit states. Much of Johnson's business was given to the younger woman, causing the plaintiff stress she did not previously have and resulting in a dramatic fall in the plaintiff's compensation, according to the suit.
Wells Fargo management told Johnson that the younger woman was "more capable" of handling the plaintiff's clients, the suit states. However, many of Johnson's longtime clients were unhappy about having to deal instead with the younger woman, according to the suit.
Johnson complained about her treatment to human resources, but nothing was done and conditions got even worse, the suit states.
The growing stress caused Johnson to take a medical leave in March 2021 and she was later hospitalized with costochondritis, an inflammation in the sternum that mimics a heart attack, the suit states.
When Johnson returned to work in December, she saw that the younger woman had taken over her desk and work space, the suit states.
Johnson resigned on Dec. 15 because of the anxiety and stress and continues to suffer from those symptoms as well as other physical and mental conditions, according to her suit.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Related
