Worst banking experience EVER,
Yesterday, while attempting to make a cash deposit at Navy Federal Credit Union located in Laurel Maryland, I experienced prejudice, intolerance, and embarrassment.
It was 38 degrees as I patiently waited in the entrance line forming down the sidewalk. The line moved fairly consistently so it's wasn't more than 5 to10 minutes before I was invited to walk in.
Upon entering, the person at the door stated, "There is hand sanitizer in the center, proceed to the open teller". "I can't use alcohol-based sanitizers," I replied. A 2nd attempt at forcing me to use some unknown chemical product was made. I asked Chris, the person attempting to force compliance "show me Navy Federals policy that denies a veteran access for not using hand sanitizer if they have a medical condition." At this point, my son and I were kicked out of the location. Dewayne, the bank manager, walked out. Again, I requested to see Navy Federals policy that denies veteran access due to not using hand sanitizer who has a medical condition and can not use hand sanitizers. Dewayne replied, "what they have us doing with things that are happening is I can take your transaction out here."
"So, you can deny me access with a medical condition for not using hand sanitizer, are you sure under the American disability act that's the proper thing to do?" "Yes", Dewayne replied. Dewayne wanted me to make my financial transaction on the sidewalk in front of everyone. It wasn't until I made several requests did, he finally takes care of my deposit in some sort of privacy. Fortunately, I recorded a video of the entire event and will file a complaint with the US Department of Justice.
While I understand the importance of hygiene, Navy Federal should understand immunology, genetics, and the potential side effects from a chemical reaction before forcing the use of topical skin agents. Unlabeled chemical sanitizers are absorbed by the skin and can agitate Psoriasis and cause numerous medical reactions even in people without autoimmune disease.
This type of discrimination only adds to the social and psychological burden of the disease. In addition, they embarrassed me by forcing me to publicly state my private medical information in front of a public crowd. This caused my son to start crying because he didn't understand why Navy Federal wouldn't help us. In a time of real anxiety, maybe Navy Federal should focus on education and empathy verse the absurd, cruel, and counterproductive practices. read more