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COOK COUNTY RECORD

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Former Employee Alleges U.S. Bank National Association of Disability Discrimination

Federal Court
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A former employee has filed a lawsuit against a major banking institution, alleging disability discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Marian Banks filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on September 12, 2024, against U.S. Bank National Association.

Marian Banks claims that her employer discriminated against her due to her extreme astigmatism, a recognized disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to the complaint, Banks worked as a client relations consultant from January 29, 2024, until she was constructively discharged on May 3, 2024. Her duties included opening accounts, assisting with processing banker transactions, cross-selling bank products and services, performing account and client profile maintenance, and providing exceptional client service. Despite performing her job satisfactorily and receiving good performance reviews from her managers initially, Banks alleges that she was subjected to discriminatory comments about her thick glasses by district manager Katrina Barber and managerial employee Zachary Marshall starting in February 2024.

Banks' complaint details how Barber and Marshall made offensive remarks such as "Wow, you really can't see," which made her feel uncomfortable and targeted because of her disability. Despite these comments, Banks continued to excel in her role until March 2024 when Barber began disparaging her work performance without basis. The situation escalated in April 2024 when Barber and another manager named Tiffany summoned Banks to a meeting where they pressured her to resign. Feeling ambushed and forced into resignation due to ongoing discrimination based on her disability, Banks drafted a resignation letter under duress.

Further incidents included Tiffany bringing a magnifying glass to Banks' workstation unprompted on April 13, 2024—a clear attempt to embarrass her—and tampering with the font size on Banks' computer screen to exacerbate difficulties associated with her visual impairment. Ultimately, this pattern of behavior led to what Banks describes as constructive discharge on May 3, 2024.

Banks is seeking back pay with interest; compensation for loss of benefits; compensatory and punitive damages; reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs; pre-judgment interest if applicable; and any further relief deemed just by the court. She argues that U.S. Bank's actions were not based on her work performance but were solely motivated by discrimination against her disability and retaliation for invoking her rights under the ADA.

The case is being handled by attorney Mohammed O. Badwan from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., the Case ID is: 1:24-cv-08368.

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