I am sure this post will upset a few people, burn some biscuits, and probably some bridges, but I have held my tongue for some time, and have decided to speak on the matter despite the backlash I am certain I will receive, but oh well STEPS ON SOAP BOX United Bank s THOMASTON WAL MART AND BARNESVILLE INGLES BRANCHES ARE .... WELL... HOW THEY HAVE MANAGED TO GO SO LONG WITHOUT BEING CALLED OUT IN REGARDS TO THERE SHENANIGANS IS BEYOND ME. As many of you know I was employed with United Bank at one point in time. Having banked with them for years (7 1/2), I was elated to have been given the position. To this day my feelings are the same, because the experience opened doors for me, that otherwise may not have been without the opportunity. Many of you wondered why I discontinued my employment there, and I typically try not to sound like a disgruntled employee so I dont say much , but my feelings are so mixed on these two United Bank locations...and there treatment of African Americans..... HIRING PROCESS They only hire a few African Americans. little tonone, and when they do it is either because that individual knew someone higher up, or to have enough employed to protect them legally. You wont see many in higher up positions, considering often times minorities arent fairly considered for even an entry level position, this may contribute to why. NO I AM IN NO WAY SAYING THEY ARE RACIST, OR PREJUDICE! I AM SIMPLY SAYING United Bank,fails to give people (in general), especially minorities a fair chance at employment. The in store branches specifically speaking Barnesville Ingles Branch and Thomaston Wal-Mart are really guilty of this. In the past 10 years the Thomaston Wal Mart United Bank has only employed 3 African Americans (one of which being myself), in the past 5 years the Barnesville Ingles Branch only 1 (that I am aware of). Considering the fact that both of these branches have a very high turn over rate, if anyone were to ever take the time to do the math the numbers will prove my point. I witnessed that within United Bank as a whole there is an extreme not what you know,but who you know bias. Especially if you are African American. Truth is, when they conduct interviews, they already know who they want to hire, the only reason interviews are done is for the sake again for legal reasons. Dont believe me? Ask around, I know of several individuals who were qualified for certain positions, yet were turned down, only for the position to be given to someone less qualified. Just like I know several people employed who have close ties to some one with pull. Its a small town bank, and privately owned. They have ingeniously monopolized over Thomaston, Georgia Pike County, GA, and Barnesville Georgia so they do not have to concern themselves with demographics, and diversity. MY EXPERIENCE During my time employed there I had an associate degree,4 years of consistent work experience, 2 years of cash handling. Yet I was only paid $7.75/hr (part time). At the time location, and hours aligned well with my school schedule.I only intended to be there to gain banking experience,so I wanted to try to make do. The issue came when I realized that I was one of the LOWEST PAID PEOPLE AT UNITED BANK. There was a young lady whom started 7 months after I did, straight out of high school little work experience making more than I did Not only that she received better hours than I did, and hardly worked a weekend. I on the other hand closed every night, and worked every single weekend, now I was told seniority ensured better hours NOT THE CASE .There were times I worked every weekend straight for months, but this individual whod only been there a month got almost every single weekend off, hardly closed,and left early often, I made a couple of attempts to speak with my manager Melissa Thomas in reference to this, and her response (the one that really stuck with me, well you know talking to other co workers about their pay goes against policy you could be fired :/). Talk about dodging the question, the fact that I didnt initiate the conversation didnt matter at all. This was just the tip of the iceberg of incidents that occurred during my time there. Thank heavens for Jasmine Grisham and A.j. Holmes Reginald Stinson for helping me get through those trying days there, because there were far more bad days that out weighted my good at the United Bank Thomaston Wal Mart. My Banking Experience United Bank is a great bank, when compared to many competitors as far as products, services, turn over time for loans, and customer service (at some locations) are concerned especially for a small town bank. I have always loved banking there. UNTIL last year, anyone who knows me, knows that I am on point, and particular about my money. I balance it down to the penny, and save as if my life depends on it. One day, due to a mishap with Geico one of our accounts was over drawn. I didnt have a history of over drafts, money stayed in both of my accounts, I had two checking , and two savings, with enough to cover the over draft, I just wanted the fee to be refunded, When I contacted Kim Buice in regards to the issues she treated me as if I over drew my account every single month, and kept a zero balance. She talked to me as if I was a red headed step childs flea infested dog. This followed by other incidents, was when I drew all of my money out of that bank. In working there and banking there I have learned that particular rules/guidelines/policies are only enforced, when dealing with certain individuals.For example I a long time customer, those who work at the Barnesville Ingles Branch Thomaston Wal Mart and Barnesville Main are familiar with me from either working their or banking there. I have never done anything questionable in my 7 1/2 years of banking there, or my short time working there, and not to mention I am currently employed at a bank. SO I WOULD NEVER DO ANYTHING LEGALLY WRONG, yet I go in to cash I check (my personal check for 1100.00 drawn off of my main bank. Granite I do not keep that much in my account with United Bank ,(only use the account to cash checks against , and use the free coin counter services for Dj). I am told no by Kim via Melissa. YET I witnessed Melissa on several occasions during my employment allowing people with an over drawn account cash checks, with funds not available. I work at a financial institution, and lets not forget I worked with her I am very aware of recourse, but I am also aware of client relationship, and other factors she has ignored in the past. I have actually in the past tried to contact there boss Ms.Martinez, (about a year and a half ago), of course that went no where, but these two in store branch managers there is something to be said for how they operate toward certain individuals. Conclusion TRUST ME incidents are not isolated to just me,or just African Americans, but it is not my place to speak on behalf of anyone else experience but my own. I still let a small portion of my pay check go there, because I need a local bank,This in no way is an attempt to discredit United Bank,or turn African Americans against them. I only mentioned my experiences, more so specifically in regards to the THOMASTON WAL MART BRANCH ,AND BARNESVILLE INGLES BRANCH, THESE TWO DEFINITELY DO NOT DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT.There new ITMS can handle all your banking needs , with less hassel anyway utilize those. This is only a small portion of things I could say, but I have vented enough. Steps Off Soap Box CARRY ON!!!!
Posted on: Wed, 02 Jul 2014 22:44:44 +0000
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