Westpac sued by employee over discrimination allegations

Westpac is being sued for $1m by a senior financial planner who works at the bank, and who claims that he was passed over for a promotion due to his race; a regional manager reportedly told him that her rich clients did not want "another Indian". In recent years, regulators have become more and more proactive in dealing with what they call the cultural issues at banks; this issue is unlikely to endear the bank to regulators, in light of this regulatory environment. 

A Westpac senior financial planner is suing the bank for $1 million after his regional manager allegedly told him her rich clients did not want 'another Indian'.

Vikram Chopra filed a claim in the federal circuit court against the bank, as well as his Adelaide regional manager Kristen Greber, arguing that Westpac back-tracked on their decision to promote him due to his race.

Court documents revealed Ms Greber told Mr Chopra during a meeting in 2014 that she would not allow him to manage some of her clients as they didn't want 'another Indian planner', the Australian Financial Review reported.

Vikram Chopra has filed a $1 million race discrimination lawsuit against Westpac bank

Mr Chopra also claimed in his race discrimination lawsuit that in 2012 he was promoted to executive financial adviser, replacing colleague Anil Thuso - who is also of Indian descent.

Westpac then overturned this decision. Later when he moved roles in 2014, Ms Greber told Mr Chopra she would not allow him to meet with some of her clients as they had a futile relationship with his predecessor.

The regional manager then told him she had at least four clients who would have an issue with his race, because they were very rich and 'feel they can say and do whatever they want', court documents revealed.

She then said to Mr Chopra it was not her that was racist, it was her clients. However an internal investigation found Ms Greber made racially discriminatory comments and she was forced to make a formal apology.

Despite Ms Greber also being issued a formal warning, Mr Chopra was not given the promotion he was denied in 2012.

He claimed by missing out on this role he had also been denied a $300,000 pay rise.

Court documents show that in 2014 his regional manager Kristen Greber told him her rich clients didn't want 'another Indian planner'

Mr Chopra is suing the bank for $1 million: $900,000 of those for loss of earnings and $40,000 for emotional pain and suffering, and his legal costs.

Internal emails revealed that Mr Chopra was so upset by the events he would avoid catching a lift that passed Ms Greber's floor so he wouldn't bump into her.

He said in another email he was concerned the events would have an impact on his future career as the banking sector in Adelaide is a 'small market'.

A Westpac Group spokesperson declined to comment on the specifics of the case as the matter is currently before the courts.

'As a general comment, we have policies and protocols in place to ensure employees can raise any concerns, and complaints are thoroughly investigated,' the spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.