Based on what I have read on this site, it seems futile to even try and file a complaint? Has anyone ever won a case, and if so what made it so? What happened afterwards, were they displaced later? That’s the rumor.
A couple of us think we found falsified information, our manager told us to ignore it as no big deal, even though we have a regulatory finding related to the records entered.
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When you get laid off, you have to sign the agreement to not sue Wells Fargo. If you sue Wells Fargo, you will forfeit the entire severance package. So If your manager retaliates you by laying you off, you can no longer fight back.
It's possible to win a case without representation. I have been investigated, they go through your Microsoft teams conversations, they go through your email. They go through everything! Most of the time we are aware that we're being investigated, but not always. The investigators are typically on our side. And if you've been terminated, you can guarantee that HR is down there due diligence to ensure you have to have a heck of a case to sue.
I recommend filing a case. It will make them think twice before firing you. That is the ultimate retaliation. It's already been mentioned, but if you don't live in a core location or a main hub, then they can just fire you. At the same time, realize that you are filing a case against a real person. Ask yourself if you're sincerely following this case for the right reasons, it's not fun to be on the other side of an investigation when someone's just upset.
I work at Wells Fargo. I am aware of two employees who raised their hands due to possible non-compliance with regulatory requirements and were retaliated against. They filed complaints with the Ethics Line due to the retaliation. One employee was fired for some other reason (a technicality) and the other wasn't, but their claim of retaliation, which they had proof of, was dismissed by the Ethics line investigating it. That group did not even interview other key people who witnessed the events. Remember- Wells Fargo leadership says when you see something, say something- you will be protected but in practice the Ethics program built out after the account opening scandal in 2016ish time frame is just window dressing and a check the box exercise. It means nothing. I recommend people still filing an Ethics line case to at least say they followed internal policies, and make sure you have solid documentation, but also recommend talking to a lawyer.
@3epy+1tnMfyrB This is great info. How do you get the witnesses though if they are scared to stand up for you & put their job on the line?
How to win:
- Collect your data. 2. Use 3 examples. Document.
- Have enough witnesses to see where your concerns are. In other words, encourage the manager to engage negatively with you while others are around. Have at least two people as witnesses.
- Put your concerns in with HR. Shortly after have your attorney contact them on email. Your attorney already accepted your case; therefore it's valid. Whatever WF claims will be the opposite. Don't engage or agree with WF. They will try to sc--w you. Ignore them.
- Now at this point with an ER case you're going to be retaliated against. May not be now but it WILL happen.
This is crucial to get your complaint in prior to them reacting; regardless WF will be upset, who cares - they just legally proved your retaliation!
Now you can get unemployment and if you have a decent attorney they will get you severance. It's going to be taxed. Plan ahead and choose an amount that will help you while you're looking for your next role.
By the way they will delay their investigation by 60-90 days. Who cares, go to the EEOC anyway. You have 180 days from when the complaint was submitted.
Never look back at the negativity from this company or the people in it. These coworkers were sour. Seven or eight got let go. Some are still out of work.
Most important; I demonstrated what that manager was doing to the metrics and karma paid them back by them finally being removed. Sc-m bag managers at WF ruin your career elsewhere. Be proud you survived!
Never look back and study what to look out for in job interviews to avoid toxic management.
You can win an ER case, however you need to have an extreme level of documentation and a smart lawyer. Plus, a lot of patience. They might settle to get you to leave. But, you will need to sign an nda and an agreement that you will never apply or be hired by the company again.
Lawyer up first, stand up for yourself if the case is valid, get settlement, leave.
Anyone asks about WF? You don't recommend. Move on. Greener pastures.
Less hill billies.
I had a manager that was a complete psychopath. For real, he was a scary person that would remind us of how many g-ns he had at home. Our team got together and made a group complaint directly to his manager. He didn’t get fired but was barred from ever having direct reports again. He managed to last about 10 more years here but did finally get canned.
I filed an Ethics Line report when I found an issue. It was never reviewed and when I went to check on it it was no longer in the system. Wells Fargo is so corrupt - ignore anything internal they do nothing.
If you ever want to report an incident, go to the OCC, CFPB, FINRA, SEC, FDIC, EEOC or any federal regulators. Never go to the WF internal departments. The Feds need to know what corrupt WF leadership is doing.
One of the biggest lies you will hear during and after any report to the Ethics Hotline is this statement "Wells Fargo does not tolerate retaliation of any kind".
Trust me - retaliation happens every day and in many ways and it's tolerated!
No, and WF is a corrupt company,
@1qjg+1tnMfyrB, you are correct. Ethics line is a trap. You can't win a case unless you are protected by high ranking executives. Wells Fargo is a corrupt political machine. We need to get help from external parties.
I reported an SVP for his misconduct to Ethics Line. The Ethics Line person said it was anonymous and confidential, he would not know who reported him. But a few moths later, he and his colleague SVP came back to me and said they were upset about my Ethics Line reporting. These people had political connections with high ranking executives at Wells Fargo, and found out everything about my reporting. Nothing happened to this SVP and I was removed from my current team, moved to a very insignificant role, and I received a very negative performance review. 1 Year later, I was laid off.
My point is, it's all about who you know and who you are connected with. Some managers and executives have their own club and always protect each other. If you are not part of that club, you have no chance to win.
If the infraction is severe enough, reporting it internally is not advised. Self policing is biased towards self preservation.
This is extreme example, but we saw the Vatican go to great measures to protect itself despite its loyal and devout Catholic parents tipping off the church before the police.
The bank absolutely won't think twice about taking action, no matter the ethics or legality of the thing. The burden always falls upon the WF employee.
Was part of an investigation years back and they and senior leadership who were aware asked everyone to be candid and honest or it would jeopardize the integrity of the process. I was interviewed and provided many examples and situations. When ER asked what I thought should be the result, I said they should be fired. The ER rep said don't you think that is a bit harsh? I said you and exec leader asked us to be candid and honest and based on the facts I just provided, you are now questioning my response when you asked me point blank in the first place? Typical WF.
Long story short, these managers were laid off awhile later. That's usually how they deal with them.
Never go to Ethics line. They are already tainted by the WF leadership and will end your career. The best way is to report any incidents to the bank regulatory agencies. You may lawyer up, but it is very difficult to win against a big bank alone because WF also hires best lawyers from Wall Street. However, a big class action lawsuit might make some dent on the bank. Another good way is to tell the news media. In any case, never report incidents to WF internal parties, but always go to external parties.
I reported a couple of Sr. managers to Ethics Line for their violation of company's policy and gross misconducts. But the HR and Sr. managers were all working together in the background to protect the bank and its leadership. They retaliated me by fabricating my performance evaluation with fake accusations, which basically sc--wed my career. 3 months later, I was laid off. I was told that my layoff was done to improve the cost efficiency of the department.
Did you not take your ethics course in develop you? Call the ethics line!!!!!
I've never been part of an ER case like that. However, I have been involved with someone filing a hostile work environment case. I was a coworker and interviewed many times by ER for evidence or as a witness. The filing employee was just bonkers though.
A lot depends on the ER investigator. They work very anonymously so your manager might not know who filed.
This employee filed 2-3 allegations so everyone knew the game. But each ER was different. Some absolutely cynical of everything, then others empathic with our manager.
They don't take you seriously unless you have legal representation.
Lawyer up first.
OP here I was referring to a deffered layoff or firing as retaliation for filing. Not protection from location, or efficiency reductions. Sorry for the confusion. Still same question has anyone been successful once the case has been decided? tia
Whether you file a complaint or not, whether you win the case or not, you will be laid off at some point anyway. So if I were you, I would report any unethical violations to the fed regulators just to get a satisfaction.
Filing a case gives you no real protection from a layoff. All the company has to do is document that you would have been laid off regardless of the complaint or not.