An investigation has been launched after workers at a high street bank allegedly ran a WhatsApp group where they rated customers for how ‘hot’ they are. Metro Bank has said that it takes the allegations seriously and won’t ‘tolerate sexist behaviour’.
The Metro Bank branch at Southend, Essex, is at the centre of the allegations over the sexist comments. A woman has been quoted as saying she is friends with an employee at the bank.
She said she was told employees use a secret code to rank women comparing them to different types of bank accounts. In light of the allegations, the bank has stated it “will not stand for any sexist behaviour”, and has confirmed it will be investigating the matter and talking to staff.
Speaking to the Southend Echo, the friend of an employee said: “I have a friend who told me about it and he thought it was quite funny. I was told about messages they sent when a customer goes into the bank.
“They have a secret code based on the different names of bank accounts and it’s been going on for about a year or so now. When he told me about it, I told my friend I didn’t find it very funny, but he didn’t seem to see anything wrong with it.
“I think it’s disgusting and I think if someone found out about it, I think they would find it quite helpful. It’s not on, I am a customer with that bank but I don’t know if I will stay banking with that bank. I feel uncomfortable with the male staff rating customers behind their backs.
“If I do leave the bank as a customer, I think I will probably tell them the reason why.”
She urged the bank to investigate and added that the public would be “horrified” to hear about such things going on. A spokesman for Metro Bank said: “Metro Bank is built on a culture of diversity, inclusion and respect for all.
“We take any allegations of inappropriate conduct seriously and will not tolerate sexist behaviour. We are looking into the allegations and will take any appropriate action as required.”
