An Atlanta-area woman filed a lawsuit against PNC Bank claiming she didn’t get a promotion because she is a black, single mother.
According to a discrimination lawsuit filed by the employee, Brandie Falice, the regional manager who interviewed her allegedly listed a series of discriminatory reasons as to why she wouldn’t be a good fit for the job — even though she worked at the company for several years.
“I felt discouraged and I felt the time I spent with this company and my efforts to reach my goals in that space were shot down because of something that I love about myself,” Falice told WSB-TV.
First, the regional manager allegedly told her that she wasn’t right for the position because she’s black and most of the branch’s customers are white, according to the suit.
Then, the interviewer allegedly went on to point out that Falice’s personal life was an issue because as a single mother, she wouldn’t be able to work weekends.
“It does feel like you’re judged and it feels like you’re not worthy as other people,” Falice told WSB-TV.
The rejection had lasting harm on Falice, she claims.
“It was very disrespectful and I questioned my worth altogether because of that,” Falice said.
Falice holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Georgia State University. She started working at the bank in 2018 and Falice says she was put on a fast track to management.
The banker claimed she was able to keep moving up during the COVID-19 pandemic as restructuring was happening at the bank. Falice was aiming for a higher management position at the bank’s Peachtree Corners branch — a city located just northeast of Atlanta – after spending six years at the company.
A spokesperson for PNC Bank denied that Falice was discriminated against, per WSB-TV.
“We believe Ms. Falice was treated fairly and consistent with our company values, policies and practices,” the statement read. “PNC does not tolerate discrimination or retaliation and we look forward to presenting the facts in court.”
Falice’s attorney Artur Davis hopes PNC will take “accountability” for the alleged incident.
“How many young women of color are being denied opportunities for the same kinds of bias reasons used to hold Brandie Falice back,” Davis told WSB-TV.
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It doesn’t appear that Falice is working at the bank anymore.
According to her LinkedIn page, Falice appeared to have left PNC in April 2024 and has spent the past nine months working as a senior account executive for a growing IT hardware maintenance and support company also based in Atlanta.
