Iain Withers

LONDON, (Reuters) – A former employee of the bank claims that the London branch of Canada’s Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce was operating a degrading and hostile environment for women.

Zhuofang Wei was an executive director of CIBC between 2018-2020 for almost two years. She is suing CIBC 800,000. pounds ($1,000,000) for her lost earnings and damages. Zhuofang Wei claims she was discriminated against by managers.

Wei claimed that she was fired by CIBC on March 2020 because she refused to accept a new position without an increase of pay.

According to a document provided by the bank to Reuters, CIBC refuted all allegations that Wei was discriminated against and stated her job had been eliminated after she had responsibilities substantially decreased.

A spokesperson said that CIBC was committed to a fair and respectful work environment and took any concern raised by a member of the team seriously. We will investigate any concern raised by a member of the team via the confidential hotline, or other channels for escalation and then take appropriate actions.

“As the matter is currently before the courts we are unable comment further at this moment.”

Wei’s claim in employment was heard at a London tribunal this month. The judgment is expected to come within weeks.

The #MeToo movement has brought greater attention to sexual discrimination in the workplace. Numerous allegations have been made of misconduct in many fields including entertainment and business.

Wei claims that CIBC London’s office had an innuendo quotation book. This was a claim Wei made. Staff were encouraged to vote and contribute at their Christmas party.

China-born Wei claims she also suffered discrimination on several occasions. One of her allegations includes being twice asked to help his children by a bank executive. Wei claims she was also made sexual comments about Wei’s appearance and that of at least three other female colleagues.

CIBC’s defence document denied Wei’s claims that the London office was discriminatory and also denied her harassment based on gender or race.

POST-BREXIT RELOCATION

Wei had been offered a job in CIBC’s Luxembourg office following Brexit, but she claims that they did not offer her a raise to compensate for the increased responsibilities.

Wei was meant to combine the roles of chief operating officer and chief risk officer – which CIBC told regulators would likely command salaries of 330,000 euros and 225,000 euros respectively – but was told she would remain on her existing base salary of 206,000 euros, she alleges.

However, many white employees who moved to Luxembourg to work for the government were given an opportunity to negotiate their wages. At least two of these men included the chief executive officer at the Luxembourg unit.

CIBC argued that regulators had submitted estimates of the salaries. Additionally, it stated that all relocating personnel should be paid equal amounts but convert from pounds to euro. The bank stated in its defense document that any changes made to the pay of other employees were based on their particular circumstances.