Have I been discriminated against for Employment by JP Morgan Chase?

[kjrpat]

Hello,

My name is James, I am 28 years old from Staten Island, New York. After applying to Chase, I was asked to interview with various managers here on Staten Island. Last year I interviewed with the same district manager but I was turned down. This year I tried again, and I was successful. They told me my start date would be April 4th at a branch near my neighborhood. My role would be as a personal banker. I passed a drug test, criminal check, and fingerprinting. They verified my degree with St. John's University. However, they have been scrutinizing me over my poor credit because I owe massive debt in student loans. ($80,000) They have been questioning why I owe so much, past payments I have made, missed payments, why I defaulted on them, medical debts on my credit report, how much I am paying each creditor. Because of this I went to a credit repair agency, and paid $1,300 dollars for them to fix my credit and remove outstanding items off my credit report. Many things on my report have been reported twice (duplicates) and many loans are still showing default status even though I've been making payments. Despite all of this, Chase has made me very uncomfortable so I sent them this letter:

To whom it my concern,

Please withdraw my application for Chase employment. This process of divulging my life story and financials to people I don't know and have never met has made me very uncomfortable. It's unfair that my student debt and credit history should be scrutinized for employment. I interviewed successfully, have no criminal history, hold a college degree, and I am formerly employed by one of the major financial institutions in the world, Fidelity. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the inquisition Chase has put me through over the last several weeks can be categorized as discrimination for which I'll be reaching out to my attorney.

Thank you,

- - - - - - -
Do I have a case for discrimination? I have supplied them W2's, paystubs, and tax returns. I'm sick of it, it's embarrassing. Why do I have to answer so many personal questions for a $30,000 position at a bank?

 

[Zigner]

Hello,

My name is James, I am 28 years old from Staten Island, New York. After applying to Chase, I was asked to interview with various managers here on Staten Island. Last year I interviewed with the same district manager but I was turned down. This year I tried again, and I was successful. They told me my start date would be April 4th at a branch near my neighborhood. My role would be as a personal banker. I passed a drug test, criminal check, and fingerprinting. They verified my degree with St. John's University. However, they have been scrutinizing me over my poor credit because I owe massive debt in student loans. ($80,000) They have been questioning why I owe so much, past payments I have made, missed payments, why I defaulted on them, medical debts on my credit report, how much I am paying each creditor. Because of this I went to a credit repair agency, and paid $1,300 dollars for them to fix my credit and remove outstanding items off my credit report. Many things on my report have been reported twice (duplicates) and many loans are still showing default status even though I've been making payments. Despite all of this, Chase has made me very uncomfortable so I sent them this letter:

To whom it my concern,

Please withdraw my application for Chase employment. This process of divulging my life story and financials to people I don't know and have never met has made me very uncomfortable. It's unfair that my student debt and credit history should be scrutinized for employment. I interviewed successfully, have no criminal history, hold a college degree, and I am formerly employed by one of the major financial institutions in the world, Fidelity. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the inquisition Chase has put me through over the last several weeks can be categorized as discrimination for which I'll be reaching out to my attorney.

Thank you,
- - - - - - -
Do I have a case for discrimination? I have supplied them W2's, paystubs, and tax returns. Why do I have to answer so many personal questions for a 30,000 position at a bank?

This is not a case of illegal discrimination by a long shot. It's kind of a bonehead move to have sent such a letter...burning bridges and all.

 

[kjrpat]

This is not a case of illegal discrimination by a long shot. It's kind of a bonehead move to have sent such a letter...burning bridges and all.

I'd rather be unemployed than answer one more of their annoying questions about my past. I am not a criminal. I just want to work.

 

[Zigner]

I'd rather be unemployed than answer one more of their annoying questions about my past. I am not a criminal. I just want to work.

You are working...if you don't want to answer their questions then simply don't. It's a small world and you never know when or under what circumstances you may run in to the person that receives that letter.

 

[kjrpat]

You are working...if you don't want to answer their questions then simply don't. It's a small world and you never know when or under what circumstances you may run in to the person that receives that letter.

They've asked me for all of my tax returns since 2010 and paperwork proving payments I've made to my student loans. They've been bombarding me with calls end emails for 3 weeks. I've never experienced this for any job I've ever had, it's ridiculous.

 

[Zigner]

They've asked me for all of my tax returns since 2010 and paperwork proving payments I've made to my student loans. They've been bombarding me with calls end emails for 3 weeks. I've never experienced this for any job I've ever had, it's ridiculous.

I agree - absolutely preposterous! No illegal though...

 

[kjrpat]

You are working...if you don't want to answer their questions then simply don't. It's a small world and you never know when or under what circumstances you may run in to the person that receives that letter.

and If I don't "simply" answer their questions, they wont hire me obviously. Don't want to work there after this anymore anyway, I'll find something else.

 

[quincy]

and If I don't "simply" answer their questions, they wont hire me obviously. Don't want to work there after this anymore anyway, I'll find something else.

It sort of sounds as if you HAVE to find something else.

You threatened to sue Chase for discrimination. That does not exactly make you a desirable candidate for employment, even if you had not voluntarily withdrawn your application.

 

[tranquility]

Are you seeking work in New York City?

 

[kjrpat]

It sort of sounds as if you HAVE to find something else.

You threatened to sue Chase for discrimination. That does not exactly make you a desirable candidate for employment, even if you had not voluntarily withdrawn your application.

I never said I was going to sue them. I dont want any money. An apology for running me through the ringer and embarrassing me would suffice fine.

 

[kjrpat]

Are you seeking work in New York City?

Yes, Staten Island is New York City, it's one of the 5 Burroughs.

 

[Silverplum]

If you want to work with money products, it's entirely reasonable to find out about your financial dealings and responsibility.



Is it just me, or is that flipping obvious to everyone?

 

[Silverplum]

I never said I was going to sue them. I dont want any money. An apology for running me through the ringer and embarrassing me would suffice fine.

That's laughable. Never gonna happen, ever.

 

[kjrpat]

If you want to work with money products, it's entirely reasonable to find out about your financial dealings and responsibility.



Is it just me, or is that flipping obvious to everyone?

ok but i work the money products everyday at Fidelity, albeit back office.

 

[Zigner]

ok but i work the money products everyday at Fidelity, albeit back office.

Then continue at Fidelity and stop making uninformed vague threats of legal action for perceived discrimination.