Posted on November 9, 2010

Bank of America Settles Unusual Workplace Claim

Al Lewis, Dow Jones Newswires, November 5, 2010

Bank of America has reached an undisclosed settlement with an African-American contract employee who quit her job after a manager wore a white hood to work during a “crazy hat” celebration.

Lisa House, who worked in the bank’s Greenwood Village, Colo., office as a contract mortgage closer, said she was terrified and reduced to tears by the sight of a Ku Klux Klan-like hood. And when she complained, she said she got a less-than-sincere apology.

She quit her job and turned to Denver civil rights activist Alvertis Simmons, who brought her complaint to Dow Jones Newswires. The complaint was never brought to court.

“We have met with Mrs. House and Mr. Simmons. We take their concerns very seriously and have taken appropriate action to address those concerns,” Bank of America spokeswoman Kelly Sapp said Friday.

“In addition, we will continue to provide resources and sensitivity training to the associate and others at the site,” Sapp said. {snip}

{snip} Simmons said, “That shows that Bank of America cares about the black community.”