Georgia banker Brandi Fallis claims she was denied promotion from PNC because she is a Black, single mother: lawsuit

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 employee Brandi Fallis, the regional manager who interviewed her allegedly listed a series of discriminatory reasons why she wouldn’t be a good fit for the job — even though she had worked at the company for several years. Year.

Fallis told WSB-TV, “I felt let down and felt that the time I spent with this company and my efforts to reach my goals in that field were thwarted by something that I loved about myself. “

First, the regional manager allegedly told her she was not suitable for the position because she was Black and the majority of the branch’s customers were white, according to the lawsuit.

Then, the interviewer reportedly explained that Fallis’ personal life was an issue because as a single mother, she would not be able to work on the weekends.

“It feels like you’re judged and it feels like you’re not as worthy as other people,” Fallis told WSB-TV.

He claims the rejection caused permanent damage to Fallis.

“It was very humiliating and caused me to completely question my abilities,” Fallis said.

Fallis has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Georgia State University. She started working at the bank in 2018 and Fallis says she was put on the fast track to management.

The banker claimed that she was able to move ahead during the COVID-19 pandemic because the bank was undergoing restructuring. After six years at the company, Fallis was aiming for a senior management position at the bank’s Peachtree Corners branch – a city northeast of Atlanta.

A PNC Bank spokesperson denied that Fallis was discriminated against, Per WSB-TV.

“We believe Ms. Fallis was treated appropriately, consistent with our company’s values, policies and practices,” the statement said. “PNC does not tolerate discrimination or retaliation and we look forward to presenting the facts in court.”

Fallis’ attorney Artur Davis hopes the PNC will take “accountability” for the alleged incident.

“How many young women of color are being denied opportunities for the same type of bias reasons that were used to hold Brandi Felice back,” Davis told WSB-TV.

It does not appear that Fallis is working at the bank anymore.

According to her LinkedIn page, Fallis left PNC in April 2024 and has spent the past nine months working as a senior account executive for a growing Atlanta-based IT hardware maintenance and support company.